'Challenging' search for missing capybara continues

The "challenging" search for a capybara that has been missing for more than three weeks continues.

Nine-month-old Samba escaped from Marwell Zoo, near Winchester in Hampshire, on 17 March, prompting huge search efforts involving thermal drones and a specialist sniffer dog.

The rodent has since captured the imaginations - and hearts - of people around the world.

Marwell Wildlife said despite following up several reported sightings, Samba remained on the loose.

Samba arrived at the zoo on 16 March after being transferred from Jimmy's Farm and Wildlife Park in Suffolk, but escaped the following day along with her sister Tango.

While Tango was quickly found nearby, Samba, described as the "more adventurous" of the pair, could not be located.

In an update issued on Thursday, Marwell Wildlife said: "Our teams remain fully committed and continue to carry out extensive searches both day and night.

"We are still using specialist tracking dogs, thermal drone technology, and camera traps in key areas where Samba is most likely to travel, particularly along waterways and dense vegetation.

"While this is a challenging search due to the size of the area and Samba's natural instincts to stay hidden, we are not giving up and remain focused on bringing her home safely."

The first confirmed sighting of Samba was in the village of Owslebury, one day after her breakout from Marwell.

Search efforts expanded over the following days, with a sniffer dog brought in to try and find Samba by following the scent of her straw bedding.

Soon, attention shifted towards the River Itchen near Twyford.

Dog walker Claudie Paddick spotted Samba "sunbathing" on a riverbank on 22 March.

She managed to capture some footage of the rodent before it dived into the water after being startled by her dog Growler.

Efforts to locate Samba have continued but she remains at large.

The team is urging members of the public to continue logging any sightings.