Capybaras telling their story…
We were rescued in May 2025 after authorities confiscated us from men transporting us in a plastic box inside a car. We were likely being smuggled from Panama to Nicaragua, but our exact origin and the conditions we were kept in remain unknown.
When we arrived at Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center in Costa Rica, veterinarians found us weak, dehydrated, underweight, and very scared. Thanks to the expert care and compassion of the rescue team, we slowly recovered — gaining weight and learning to trust people again.
We now live safely at the Rescate Wildlife Sanctuary, in a spacious, enriching enclosure with grass, shelters, a pool, and everything we need for a healthy and peaceful life.
The Cruel Reality of Wildlife Trafficking
Wildlife trafficking is an illegal and inhumane practice. Trafficked animals like us suffer greatly — stolen from the wild, separated from our families, and transported long distances in cramped, unsanitary conditions without food, water, or space. Many animals don’t survive the journey.
Due to social media trends, capybaras have become increasingly popular as exotic pets. You’ve probably seen viral videos of capybaras being walked on leashes or cuddling with people. But this growing interest fuels illegal wildlife trade — and we are the ones who suffer.
Wild Animals Are Not Pets
We are wild animals. We do not belong in homes, we don’t want to wear clothes or live in cages. We deserve to live free, in the wild, with our families — expressing natural behaviors in our natural habitat. Living in captivity is not what makes us happy.
Please help us share a message of respect and conservation. Wild animals belong in nature, not in viral videos or living rooms.
Why We Can’t Be Released
We are exotic species in Costa Rica, which means this is not our native habitat — we’re originally from South America. Because of our unknown origin and medical history, releasing us would pose a risk to local wildlife. We could carry diseases or struggle to survive without the skills we would have learned in the wild.
That’s why we now live permanently at Rescate Wildlife Sanctuary — a safe haven where we are loved, protected, and given a second chance at a dignified life.
Support Wildlife Conservation
Wildlife trafficking is illegal, cruel, unethical, and endangers countless species. Be part of the solution:
❌ Don’t support or share content that promotes exotic pets.
✅ Share facts about the importance of keeping wildlife wild.
Want to read more about our Capybaras? This article is for you!
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Would you like to help them? You can easily make a donation here,
do an internship or just simply visit Pili and Sixto in our wildlife lifetime sanctuary.
