Cinnamon, a capybara from Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World in Telford, England, has become quite the local celebrity. This clever girl managed to outsmart her keepers and escape her enclosure, setting off on a wild adventure in the nearby fields. While her family waits for her safe return, Cinnamon seems to be enjoying her newfound freedom. Let’s look into the story of this runaway rodent living her best life, causing quite a stir along the way.
The Great Escape Begins
On September 14, Cinnamon made her daring escape from Hoo Zoo. Zookeepers were mowing near her enclosure when the clever capybara took advantage of the open gate and made her break for it. Her swift getaway wasn’t entirely shocking to the zoo staff, who were well aware of her mischievous tendencies. As the world’s largest rodent species, capybaras are known for their intelligence, and Cinnamon was no exception. She saw her chance and took it, slipping past the tractor and into the great unknown.
Life on the Run
After her escape, Cinnamon didn’t waste any time making herself comfortable in the wild. Zoo owner Will Dorrell joked that she was “probably living her best life,” and it seems he was right. Less than 200 meters from the zoo, Cinnamon was spotted frolicking in fields and woodlands, blissfully unaware of the search party trying to bring her home. With plenty of food and shelter in the area, Cinnamon appeared to be thriving in her newfound freedom.
A Game of Hide and Seek
Despite the zoo’s best efforts, capturing Cinnamon proved to be a challenge. Volunteers, zoo staff, and even a thermal drone operator joined forces to track her down, but the wise rodent managed to evade capture by hiding in dense thickets. “She seemed to know what we were going to do and was waiting for that gate to be opened,” said Dorrell, commenting on Cinnamon’s impressive escape skills. It became clear that Cinnamon wasn’t going to be caught easily.
No Immediate Danger
While Cinnamon’s escape raised some concerns, zoo officials were quick to reassure the public that she wasn’t in any immediate danger. Capybaras are resilient animals, and despite their preference for warmer weather, Cinnamon could comfortably survive the local conditions. With plenty of food and water in the area, the runaway capybara was doing just fine on her own for the time being.
A High-Tech Search Party
The search for Cinnamon was far from traditional. Armed with modern technology, the zoo enlisted a thermal drone operator to locate the fugitive capybara. This advanced gadget allowed the team to track her movements from above, giving them a better idea of where she was hiding. Even with the help of technology, Cinnamon remained elusive, cleverly avoiding capture at every turn.
Cinnamon’s Clever Evasion
Cinnamon’s escape has been both impressive and frustrating for her keepers. Her intelligence has surprised many, with Dorrell commenting on how she seemed to anticipate their every move. “She’s always trying to work out different ways of causing us headaches,” he shared. While this may be a headache for the zoo, it’s a testament to Cinnamon’s wit and determination to explore life outside the zoo.
Setting Traps for the Escape Artist
Realizing that a direct capture might stress Cinnamon out, the zoo decided to set live traps instead of chasing her. These traps, which cause no harm to the animal, rely on automatic doors to safely contain Cinnamon once she enters. The hope is that she will wander into one of these cages and finally be brought back home without any further fuss.
Lessons Learned
Cinnamon’s escape has been a learning experience for the zoo staff. In response to the incident, the zoo is now reviewing its enclosure security to ensure this doesn’t happen again. Plans are in place to install a double gate and make it a two-person job to manage the enclosure during tasks like mowing. While Cinnamon’s escape was a rare event, the zoo is taking every precaution to prevent a repeat performance.
The Adventure Isn’t Over
As of now, Cinnamon remains at large, living freely in the fields near the zoo. While her return home is the ultimate goal, there’s no denying that Cinnamon’s great escape has captured the imagination of many. She’s become a local legend, and her carefree frolicking has left everyone rooting for her safe return—whenever she’s ready, of course.
- Dramatic and Challenging Rescue Mission Saves an Elephant Trapped in a Water Well - October 10, 2024
- Lala, The Famous King Penguin Who Loved Shopping for Fish on His Own - October 10, 2024
- Fierce Battle Between Lonesome Leopard and Wild Boars - October 10, 2024