The pet trade harms the animals we love so much.
Having a capybara as a pet is dangerous. Not because the giant, gentle rodent is likely to eat you…but because of what the animal will have to endure.
Last year, Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center received five baby capybaras in critical condition. They were dehydrated and injured from being transported in a hot truck in a box. While four of the capybaras recovered and are living in our sanctuary, one sadly passed away.
Having a capybara as a pet can be deadly…particularly for the capybara
The pet trade and illegal transport of wild animals, from capybaras to tigers to parrots, results in the deaths of thousands of animals every month. One report estimates that 3,500 animals perish weekly.
On social media, you may see people with wild animals as pets. The internet popularity of the capybara may have been a contributing factor to their being illegally trafficked last year.
When animals are trafficked and then kept as pets, they are usually the only member of their species in a given household. This means that they will not reproduce as they may in the wild. In the long run, the pet trade usually reduces the wild population of a given animal.
And a capybara in your home could be disruptive and dangerous
When people have a wild animal as a pet, it’s very common that they don’t know quite how to take care of them. They may give them an inadequate diet, or keep them in a habitat that is not ideal for them.
This can cause the animal to become malnourished or sick. If the animal is the only member of its species and it’s a social animal, like capybaras, they may also become distressed and develop harmful behaviors.
Capybaras are semi-aquatic, which means they need an ample amount of water. This is why they usually live near streams, rivers, and lakes. They also eat 4 or more pounds of grass every single day. When you think about it, these needs will certainly create disruption in the average home!
Additionally, capybaras have the habit of eating their own waste. This means excrement could end up on their feet or mouths, and if they’re near you or inside your home, this material can transfer…and potentially make someone sick!
The best thing to do is to leave wild animals where they belong…in nature! Domestic animals like dogs and cats make better pets, and are easier to care for.
Did you know the capybara is not native to Costa Rica?
The capybara is not native to Costa Rica, so you will not see them in forests or reserves. However, it is very common to spot agouti in Costa Rica…a rodent that is a distant relative to the capybara!
Want to learn about the differences between the capybara and the agouti? Read more!
