A Capybara and a Bread rolls They star in a story that surprises those who visit a zoo in the United States. The scene repeats itself daily and shows a close, calm coexistence that is visible to the public. The image became a symbol of tenderness.
The link is created in the Denver Zoo, inside the Tropical Discovery exhibition. There, two animals of different species have developed a stable relationship that is striking for its naturalness. Visitors and caregivers observe constant gestures of camaraderie.
The relationship was between berrya 16-year-old black howler monkey, and Rebeccaa 6 year old capybara who live next to each other in the exhibition Tropical discovery at the Denver Zoo. The two were the only two females in a predominantly male enclosure and over time formed a close bond that strengthened in front of the visitors’ eyes.
The zoo team explains that the affinity was instant. Jessica Newell, deputy curator of Tropical Discovery, points this out verbatim Axios Denver: “I think Baya really finds her place in Rebecca a comforting friend“The specialist adds that the capybara’s calm temperament is key to the monkey’s well-being.
Newell also describes the daily dynamic between the two: “Rebecca is very calm and Baya can turn to her when she needs comfort and support. They are very happy together.”
This friendship would not happen in the wild. Capybaras move through grassland and water areas Howler monkeys spend most of their time in trees. However, they are often paired in zoos across the United States because of their similar natural habitat and friendly nature, a practice that encourages coexistence, explains Jessica Newell.
The institutional context is also crucial. Baya arrived at the Denver Zoo with her three children from Florida’s Brevard Zoo earlier this summer as part of a conservation program. Rebecca, on the other hand, came home with her partner Roy in 2021 and got used to the surroundings before forming that bond.
They stand out from the zoo Axios Denver that these stories strengthen animal protection and bring the public closer to conservation goals.
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