Apparently, there is a giant pair of rodents on the loose in Canada and the #CapybaraWatch hashtag is now trending.
National Geographic says that the pair escaped three weeks ago on May 24 from their enclosure at Toronto's High Park Zoo. Since then, the city's residents have taken to the streets (and social media) in an attempt to help officials find the pair who are nicknamed Bonnie and Clyde.
Fair warning to all you #capybara hunters.
We have hired protection!
They claim to be Ninja's!#CapybaraWatch pic.twitter.com/t88nj7WSYx
— Clyde Capybara (@ClydeCapybara) June 10, 2016
The real reason for the sink holes in Ottawa.... #CapybaraWatch ... ? via @stephenlautens pic.twitter.com/hxaHGhAjmz
— James Temple, CSR-P (@CSRjames) June 9, 2016
@CBCToronto #CapybaraWatch best t shirt pic.twitter.com/DZ1WN3WH1q
— Robert Krbavac (@KRBAVAC) June 8, 2016
#CapybaraWatch Apparently people not the only ones frustrated with GO pic.twitter.com/PBWKDoVvlR
— Dairis Karklins (@DairisKarklins) June 1, 2016
And, of course, someone established a Twitter account for the rodents on the run.
Despite rumours to the contrary... we're still taking this park and this city, one day at a time. #CapybaraWatch pic.twitter.com/S6a7Y139fn
— High Park capybara (@HPcapybara) June 9, 2016
BREAKING NEWS: Footage of our escape has just been released by zoo staff. Thrilling stuff #CapybaraWatch pic.twitter.com/hX547XakDB
— High Park capybara (@HPcapybara) May 31, 2016
The capybara is a native of South America and are the largest rodents on earth. In the wild, they can weigh as much as 175 pounds and grow to more than four feet long.
The zoo says that the biggest danger for the pair right now is probably being hit by a vehicle. However, if they manage to stay on the loose until winter, they run the risk of freezing to death because they do not possess the necessary fat reserves or thick coats needed to survive a Canadian winter.
One of the rodents was potted swimming this morning in High Park.
Hey @HPcapybara did you enjoy your morning swim? #CapybaraWatch https://t.co/qD3KQ8EW8L pic.twitter.com/3n6BmtKa6M
— CBC Toronto (@CBCToronto) June 10, 2016
The zoo has set traps in an effort to capture the pair and the mayor of Toronto has joked about forming a search party, according to City News.
Sidenote: Despite the names of Bonnie and Clyde, both of the rodents are female.
