Two baby capybaras born in Mandai, the first in 10 years
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The two pups, which have not been named, take the total capybara population in Mandai to 13.
PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM MANDAIWILDLIFERESERVE/FACEBOOK
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SINGAPORE – Two capybara babies – the first in 10 years – were born at the Mandai Wildlife Reserve on Jan 4, and were walking and running around the enclosure just hours later.
The two pups, which have not been named, take the total capybara population at Mandai to 13.
Their parents, Muniek and Luna, come from Poland and Portugal respectively, said Mr Zainuddin Suandy, an animal care officer at Mandai Wildlife Group which manages the reserve.
Muniek, the father, came to Singapore in 2024, while Luna, the mother, came in 2025, he added.
“To prepare for the births, straw bedding and nest boxes were provided in a private off-exhibit area, ensuring a comfortable environment for Luna to care for her first litter,” he said.
The pups, weighing about 1.6kg each, are suckling and have started nibbling on solid food like hay, he said, adding that Luna is doing great as a first-time mother.
In a Facebook post on Jan 13, Mandai said the two capybara pups were born precocial, which means they were born with a thick coat of fur – unlike many animals that are born with little or no fur.
The capybara pups and their mother can be seen near the end of the Amazon River Quest boat ride in River Wonders, with all the other capybaras at the wildlife attraction.
Guests can also meet the capybaras at the Once Upon A River presentation and the Amazonia Encounters walk-through exhibit.
The capybara is native to South America, and is the world’s largest living rodent.
It is a semi-aquatic mammal that is related to guinea pigs, and more distantly, to chinchillas and the agouti, according to the National Geographic website.
The Mandai Facebook post said: “Sharing a birthday month with our baby capys? Don’t worry, be ‘capy’ – enjoy free entry to River Wonders with every full-paying adult and celebrate your big day with the chillest crew!”
More information can be found on the River Wonders website
The capybara’s teeth do not stop growing, and get worn down when the animal grazes on all sorts of aquatic plants and grasses, said National Geographic. The rodent also eats its own droppings.
In some parts of the world, capybaras are threatened by people who hunt them for their skin.
