PASO ROBLES, Calif. - A Capybara has eluded capture on the Central Coast, after it was spotted and photographed at the Paso Robles Wastewater Treatment Plant.
"I received a call from the city of Paso Robles sewer plant," Tom Tognazzini of the Department of Fish and Game told Your Central Coast News, "A capybara was consuming vegetation in the sewer ponds. It actually worked its way from south to north along each pond strip."
It's the third sighting in as many years of a capybara in the Paso Robles area. Officials believe it's the same rodent for all three sightings.
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"About three years ago, we had a second hand report from Hunter Ranch Golf Course of a capybara in the lake system. That sighting was never verified," Tognazzini explained, "The second sighting was on a farm. The property owner called to report they had a capybara stealing alfalfa hay from their horses. The property owner came out, discharged a shotgun round at the capybara and didn't know whether or not they had hit it."
Tracks at the second sighting proved it was a capybara. The Department of Fish and Game set up traps to catch it, but it wasn't seen again until a few weeks ago.
The species is native to South America abd is the largest rodent on earth. Experts aren't sure exactly how one ended up on the Central Coast, but they have a pretty good idea. As Tognazzini put it, "It's likely it was an illegal pet that somehow escaped or was released."
Due to the sporadic nature of the capybara sightings, the Department of Fish and game has not set up traps to catch the rodent. If they do catch it, a home for the capybara has already been found with Zoo To You.
If it's not caught soon, the capybara might not last much longer. The rodents in the wild usually only live about four years, while capybara in captivity live twice as long.
On Tuesday, Wild Things, a non-profit wild animal rescue camp on River Road outside Salinas, revealed more information about capybaras. One of the large rodents, named Chip, lives at Wild Things and is on display for visitors.
Charlie Sammut, Wild Things owner, said the animal is native to South America, but are usually found in the U.S. as illegal pets. Capybaras are illegal to have as pets in California.
On this sunny, but windy afternoon Tuesday, Chip is a bit skittish in his cage, but came over to eat his dinner of vegetables and fruit. A Wild Thing animal handler got up close and personal with Chip, even stroking and scratching the animal's neck. But while they may look harmless, they can be quite dangerous.
"They bite, and they have these huge rat-like teeth. So, if someone sees it, don't jump on it or grab it as it will open you up," said Sammut. "We were bit by ours and they are serious nasty bites."
Sammut said capybaras can pose a serious threat to the ecosystem as well if they are left to breed in the wild.
Also at Wild Things, Sammut pointed out another dangerous and illegal pet found on the Central Coast: an American Alligator. With sharp teeth and a huge body, the animal was found in someone's backyard in Gilroy last year and brought to Wild Things.
