Tuesday, August 24, 2004
Runaway rodent can grow to 100 pounds
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By William Croyle
Enquirer contributor
FLORENCE - A member of the world's largest species of rodent is on the
loose and could be in a garden or pond near you.
Missing: 7 week old female capybara. Answers to the name 'Speak'. Will
most likely be in or near water. Weighs approximately 13-15 lbs, about the
size of a large groundhog. Has a metal tag on her left ear with the number
440 on it.
(Photo provided)
Susan and Travis Fessler's capybara - named Speak - escaped from their
Raintree Road home Aug. 15, a day after they got her from an Arkansas
farm.
The aquatic, South American animal resembles a guinea pig, but can grow to
more than 100 pounds before its second birthday.
Right now she's 7 weeks old, 15 pounds, very quick and elusive. Susan
Fessler is determined to find her.
"If she sees me, she'll probably run, but I'll catch her," said Susan, a
Boone County animal control officer.
The Fesslers bought Speak as a pet to train and use in Travis' "Pickled
Brothers Sideshow" act. But Speak pried through her kennel wires in the
back yard and slipped through a hole in the fence.
The Fesslers spent a year researching the animal and four months securing
county and state permits to keep her at their home.
Capybaras are nocturnal, vegetarian and can live in water. They're not
considered harmful to people unless threatened.
The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo has had capybaras for more than 25 years, and
has three today.
"If they bite you, they can hurt you," said Don Kuenzer, curator of the
zoo's rainforest.
Speak has a metal tag on her left ear with the number 440 on it. If you
spot her, call the Fesslers at (859) 992-1763 or (859) 916-5401.
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E-mail williamcroyle@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2004/08/24/loc_loc2rodent.html
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