CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE, NJ — The Cape May County Park and Zoo welcomed two new capybara pups this week after Buttercup gave birth on April 14, according to a news release. The new arrivals follow another birth in October, when Buttercup delivered two pups. Both litters were sired by Goomba, the resident male at the zoo.
Buttercup and the pups are being monitored by the zoo’s animal keepers and veterinary staff. Visitors may be able to see them periodically from the bridge at the capybara habitat, but the pups and their mother will also be off exhibit often to give them a break from crowds. The habitat still includes other adult capybaras, Budette, Goomba and Marigold, along with five older pups.
“What a wonderful joy to be blessed with additional capybara pups,” said Cape May County Commissioner Vice-Director Andrew Bulakowski. “Families love this exhibit, and their love will only grow with the sights of these new additions.”
Capybaras are native to South America and are semi-aquatic rodents found in forested areas near water, including lakes, swamps and rivers. They are the largest members of the rodent family and typically weigh between 75 and 150 pounds, with females slightly heavier than males.
Capybaras are also highly social animals and can live in large groups. According to the information provided by the zoo, pups are up and walking within hours of being born. They begin eating grass as early as one week and continue to suckle for about 16 weeks.
For visitors hoping to catch a glimpse of the new pups, the Cape May County Parks and Zoo are open daily. The parks are open from 7 a.m. to dusk, and the zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. More information is available at CMCZoo.com.
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