Samba the missing capybara who escaped her enclosure in March is spotted for the first time in months
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Samba the capybara is alive and well - and still on the run - more than six months after escaping from a Hampshire zoo.
The runaway rodent and her sister Tango vanished from their enclosure at Marwell Zoo on March 17 while being moved to temporary accommodation.
Tango was found soon afterwards, but Samba remained on the loose.
Her great escape prompted a massive search operation and months later sightings have been few and far between.
But now the zoo has issued an update to say the mischievous fugitive has been spotted on newly-installed wildlife cameras on 'private land', with her keepers 'focused on bringing her home safely'.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the zoo said: 'Since confirming that we had new photographic evidence of Samba’s whereabouts in August, our team has continued working tirelessly to bring her safely back to Marwell Zoo.
'Recovering Samba is a gradual and carefully managed process. Although we know the area she is in, it isn’t simply a case of being able to approach and collect her.
'It’s vital that we keep any stress to an absolute minimum, as frightening or disturbing her could cause her to move away from the area and make her safe recovery more difficult.
Samba the capybara is alive and well - and still on the run - more than six months after escaping from Marwell Zoo. Pictured: Wildlife cameras spotted the runaway rodent
Marwell Zoo said in an update that her keepers are 'focused on bringing her home safely'
The first photograph of Samba shortly after she disappeared from her zoo enclosure
'Over recent weeks, we have installed additional wildlife cameras, which have provided further photographic evidence of Samba.
'We have also been establishing a feeding area, encouraging her to become familiar with the location and return regularly.
'This is an important step in our plans to safely recover her.
'As Samba is currently on private land, and to avoid disturbing her or disrupting our ongoing efforts, we are keeping details of her exact location confidential.
'We know many of you are keen to hear how Samba is doing, and we’re grateful for your continued interest and support.
'Our team remains focused on bringing her home safely, and we’ll share further news when there is a significant update.'
Samba's disappearance has attracted widespread attention, with members of the public reporting possible sightings in recent months.
A running joke emerged online with social media users posting photos of Samba - often AI-generated - enjoying her life on the outside with various activities like lounging poolside or going to the pub.
Samba in Marwell Zoo before her disappearance. She vanished from her enclosure on March 17 as she and another giant rodent were being moved in
According to animal experts, a capybara could survive in the UK. The rodent has an abundant food source with plenty of grass and plants along riverbanks for it to eat.
They also have no natural predators that could hunt them.
For Samba, the biggest risk to her life could come from traffic, while she might struggle to reach food sources due to freezing temperatures over the winter months.
Capybaras are also social creatures often living in groups of 20 to 100 animals, and solitary capybaras can be prone to stress and depression.
- Have YOU spotted the runaway capybara? Email: fran.wolfisz@dailymail.co.uk
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