Missing capybara Samba caught on camera more than six months after escape from Marwell Zoo

Missing capybara Samba caught on camera more than six months after escape from Marwell Zoo Samba the capybara has managed to evade keepers for more than six months after escaping from Marwell Zoo - but new camera sights and a carefully placed feeding spot could finally bring her aventure to an end A runaway capybara has finally been caught on camera more than six months after making her great escape from a Hampshire zoo - as keepers close in on bringing her home. Samba, the furry fugitive broke out of Marwell Zoo on March 17 alongside her sister Tango while the pair were being moved into a temporary enclosure. Tango's taste of freedom was short-lived and she was quickly recovered after being found hiding in bushes close to the zoo, Samba proved much harder to find and has managed to remain on the run. Now, after months of searching, keepers have now made a breakthrough after cameras placed in the area where she is believed to be living captured fresh images of the elusive animal. But catching her is not that simple rather than rushing in to retrieve her and risk sending her running again, the team is now using food to encourage Samba to return to the same spot. A spokesperson for Marwell Zoo said: “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. 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.” The latest development comes after an extensive search for the runaway capybara, with thermal drones and sniffer dogs previously deployed in efforts to track her down. Samba has been spotted several times following her escape, including by a dog walker who saw the large rodent sitting on a river bank. But after being startled by a barking dog, she reportedly jumped into the water. Another confirmed sighting came in August when a member of the public managed to photograph an animal later confirmed by the zoo to be Samba. Her escape also caused a stir near The Ship Inn in Owslebury, where customers were taking part in a quiz night on the evening she disappeared. Quizzer Nicky Scott said: “There was a bang on the window and one of my team pointed at a capybara sitting in the road. I ran out and followed it down the lane until it disappeared into a hedgerow.” Capybaras are native to South America and are the world’s largest living rodents. The semi-aquatic animals have stocky bodies, short legs and partially webbed feet and are often found living close to water. While Samba has been enjoying her extended taste of freedom, life has also changed for her sister back at Marwell Zoo. In July, the zoo announced the arrival of seven-year-old male capybara Ripple, who was brought in to live alongside Tango. Keepers said the move was made to ensure Tango’s “continued welfare by providing her with appropriate companionship” while her sister remained missing. At the time, the zoo stressed Ripple’s arrival would not affect its efforts to find and recover Samba. And although the latest pictures are a promising development in the months-long search, Samba’s adventure is not quite over yet. Keepers are continuing to monitor her movements and feeding routine before deciding when it is safe to attempt to finally bring the elusive capybara home.