City staff hunting for the High Park Zoo’s renegade capybaras have received hundreds of reported sightings across Toronto and even into the suburbs as the search for the runaway rodents approaches week two.
Parks spokeswoman Megan Price said the reports have come in from Etobicoke (as reported by Global News) to as far away as Markham.
But despite the calls and a stealthy night operation on day two of their exodus, the animals have not been located.
READ MORE: Stealthy night operation planned to recapture missing High Park Zoo capybaras
“Most likely we think people are confusing groundhogs (or other similarly-sized mammals) with them,” Price said in an email, adding it’s doubtful they’ve reached the Rouge Valley.
“The capybaras remain at large.”
Hopes are that the Bonnie-and-Clyde pair remain in the park, where feeding stations have been deployed to draw them out, Price said.
Meanwhile, foot patrols are making the rounds in the quiet hours of dusk and dawn along water sources in the park, with eyes peeled for the semi-aquatic capybaras.
Parks staff have tapped outside experts, ranging from the Toronto Zoo, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, along with trappers, breeders and exotic animal handlers, Price said.
“We are seeking information, techniques and support.”
The strays, a male and female, escaped last Tuesday while being transported into the zoo’s capybara pen. The somewhat exotic animals — which resemble giant hamsters — are technically the largest rodents in the world, with the pair weighing around 15 kg each. Full-sized capybaras can grow up to 100 kg.
The city says capybaras are not considered dangerous but could be “skittish,” and residents are advised to stay away and call 311 if spotted.