Shropshire zoo seeks runaway ‘beloved’ capybara

Owners of the popular UK attraction appeals for help after Fernando the rodent makes a break for it

Staff at a zoo in Shropshire are appealing for help in tracking down a "much-loved" capybara who escaped from his enclosure.

Fernando the rodent vanished from his home at the popular West Midlands Safari Park on Saturday, July 30.

The park's owners have appealed for the public's help in tracking down the eight-year-old animal, saying he is "much-loved" by both staff and visitors.

Capybaras are native to South America

Capybaras are the world's largest rodents and are native to South America.

They are semi-aquatic animals and are well-adapted to life in and around water.

Fernando is described as being brown with black patches and weighing around 60kg.

Fernando escaped through a damaged fence

It is believed that Fernando escaped through a damaged fence in his enclosure.

The zoo's staff are now searching the surrounding area for any sign of the animal.

They are also appealing to the public to report any sightings of Fernando to the zoo.

The zoo is hopeful that Fernando will be found soon

The zoo's owners are hopeful that Fernando will be found soon and returned to his enclosure.

They said: "We are very concerned about Fernando and we are doing everything we can to find him."

"We would be grateful if anyone who sees him could contact us immediately."