Zoo's Little Surprise: Capybara "Yanick" Takes a Stroll
As you wander through Wanpi World, you might occasionally hear the "Wow!" exclamation from visitors— the zookeepers are taking the capybara baby Yanick out for a street stroll! Little Yanick, with his distinctive large hindquarters, waddles along, looking curious and adorable, peering at the little flowers and grass along the way, always has visitors snapping away non-stop!
When The Tree Top House was reopened in the park, netizens also spotted the special figure from the promotional video—Yanick became the spokesanimal, representing the zoo's animals. He took a trip to the restaurant to check out various food facilities and then recommended all kinds of delicious food to children and adults alike.
Capybaras have become wildly popular exhibition animals in Taiwan in recent years. They are formally known as the South American capybara, the world's largest rodent species, with adults weighing up to 60 kg. Capybaras have four toes on their front feet and three on their hind feet, with webbing between them, making them excellent swimmers. They are native to the dense waters of tropical rainforests in South America, primarily feeding on aquatic plants. Capybara pregnancies last for about 150 days, and each litter ranges from one to four pups. At birth, babies weigh around 1 kg and can swim with their mothers just a few hours later. They are social animals, thriving in group settings.
Tomorrow's Adorable Star: Capybara "Yanick" Makes Debut
Yanick's mother passed away just three days after giving birth, leaving the caretaking responsibilities to the zookeepers. When Yanick was born, it looked so much like a Swiss roll that the keepers named it Yanick (similar to the popular Swiss roll brand Yannick). However, taking care of Yanick wasn't as easy as enjoying a Swiss roll. Like a newborn baby, Yanick needed to be fed every three hours. To care for Yanick, the keepers took turns feeding him day and night, and they liked to tease each other about their dark circles under their eyes. After three months of dedication, they finally witnessed Yanick's gradual growth and development. Raised by keepers since infancy, Yanick has grown very close to them, full of energy and curiosity, often requiring the keepers to take him on exploratory adventures around the zoo.
Playful and Lively Yanick
Yanick, the adventurous explorer, loves to sniff around whenever he sees peacocks. However, he often gets startled by the peacocks' sudden movements and scurries back to the keepers for protection. When he's out for a stroll, he's like a kid who can't resist jumping into every puddle he sees, even if it means getting all muddy. But hey, he's still having a blast, leaving the keepers with the cleanup later. And when it's nap time, he curls up next to the keepers, sometimes twitching his mouth in his sleep. This little angelic creature is simply irresistible.
Animals can be trained through desensitization, which is a gradual process of helping them become accustomed to new things. Before Yanick became an animal ambassador, keepers went through several rounds of desensitization training and built a strong rapport with him. They gradually exposed him to new experiences, like sweeping near him to get him used to the everyday movements of people in the restaurant, or taking him out for walks with a leash on. They also trained him to stay calm, so that when offered treats, visitors could gently pet him, helping him get used to human touch. They also took him to different areas of the zoo to get him accustomed to sounds and different surroundings. All this prep work helped Yanick feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera for his promotional duties.
In the coming days, Yanick will attend various events. If you spot him passing by, why not throw some cheers to the keepers too? Stay tuned for more of Yanick's cuteness down the line!