Zoo reports 'several sightings' of escaped capybara

A zoo has said there have been "several credible sightings" in recent days, of a capybara which escaped from captivity nearly three months ago.

Marwell Zoo has received reports that 11-month-old Samba, who has been on the run since the 17 March, was recently spotted around three miles (5km) away in Brambridge, near Winchester.

In a post on social media, the Hampshire based Zoo said more than 20 members its team have been carrying out ground searches and deploying additional camera traps in the area.

Her disappearance attracted interest from around the world, and Marwell Wildlife thanked the local community for continuing to report sightings.

It said teams are looking for "footprints, droppings and any direct signs of Samba's presence" in an area where the vegetation is quite dense.

It added: "The recent sightings have helped us significantly narrow down the search area and we remain hopeful."

Despite following up several reported sightings, the last one confirmed as Samba was in the Colden Common area on 22 March.

The zoo said: "Samba's welfare remains our absolute priority, and we are continuing to use every appropriate tool available to help us locate her and bring her safely back to Marwell."

Five days after her escape, Samba was seen resting in the sunshine at the side of a river near the zoo by a dog walker who captured phone footage as she jumped in the water and swam off.

Samba and her sister, Tango, arrived at the zoo on 16 March after being transferred from Suffolk, but both escaped the following day.

Tango was found close to the pair's temporary enclosure at the zoo and was swiftly retrieved but her sibling - described as the "more adventurous" of the pair - has been at large ever since.

Marwell Wildlife added that Tango "has been enjoying the warmer weather, often seen relaxing in the sun and napping in her hay".

She remains in her private habitat while work is completed on her new home at the zoo.

Capybaras are the world's largest rodents.

They are herbivores and are not considered dangerous to people.

In the wild they have few natural predators in the UK, so it is thought the biggest risk to Samba is traffic.

Marwell Wildlife is asking anyone who believes they may have seen Samba to take a photo and get in contact using the methods listed on its website.