Keepers at a zoo are “over the moon” to welcome three baby capybaras.
Parents Augustus and Clementine welcomed their first baby Satsuma at Drusillas Zoo Park, near Alfriston, last year, so zookeepers could not believe their luck when Clementine became pregnant once again.
She had been waiting ten years for the right mate until she met Augustus in 2021.
When Satsuma was born in June 2022, he was the first capybara to be born at the zoo for eleven years.
On September 28, he became a big brother his mum gave birth to triplets.
Since they were born, the trio, two girls and one boy, have been cared for by their doting mum and dad.
This half term, visitors can come and see the triplets as they frolic with big brother Satsuma, bounce around their enclosure and munch on their favourite snacks of chicory, sweet potato, and cucumber.
Headkeeper Gemma Romanis said: “We are over the moon to welcome three new capybara babies. We were all so excited when Satsuma was born last year and it’s amazing that now he’s been joined by not one, but three siblings.
“It’s been a long journey to get to this point because Clementine really struggled to find a mate she connected with. She’s very affectionate and loving with us, but in contrast, had been very dismissive towards other capybaras we’ve tried to introduce over the years.
“We saw a glimmer of hope in her behaviour towards Augustus and did everything we could to encourage it. In a lovely turn of events, she fell pregnant last year and gave birth to Satsuma and now the family has grown even more.”
Visitors who want to get even closer to the furry rodents can get nose-to-nose with them by booking a close encounter experience.
With the new arrivals, Drusillas Park now has six capybaras and is asking the public to help decide the name of the three new pups – two girls and one boy.
If you can make them citrus-themed like Mum Clementine and big brother, Satsuma, even better
To help choose a name, head to Drusillas Park's social media pages @drusillaspark to make a suggestion.
What would you call the triplets?
Send us your ideas for what to call the baby capybara triplets
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