In 2020, 5 new bison calves were added to the herd in Golden Gate Park! This year in exciting news for animal lovers and visitors to San Francisco, four capybaras from the San Francisco Zoo will be added to the Golden Gate Park, enhancing the city’s already vibrant and diverse natural offerings.
Photo from Instagram by @sfparksalliance
Capybaras, which are the largest rodents in the world, are native to South America and are known for their social behavior and adaptability. They have become increasingly popular as exotic pets in recent years, but these particular capybaras will not be available for adoption. Instead, they will serve as part of the Golden Gate Park’s larger animal conservation and education efforts.
The four capybaras – two males and two females – are currently being housed at the San Francisco Zoo, where they have been acclimated to living in captivity. They will be transported to their new home in the park in the coming weeks, where they will be housed in a specially designed habitat that will allow them to live comfortably and engage in natural behaviors.
Photo from Instagram by @sfparksalliance
The capybaras will be a welcome addition to the park, which already boasts a wide range of animal species, including bison, elk, and coyotes. Visitors to the park will be able to observe and learn about these fascinating animals, and the capybaras will be an important part of the park’s conservation and education programs.
In addition to providing a unique and educational experience for visitors, the addition of these capybaras to the Golden Gate Park is also an important step in the conservation efforts for this species. Capybaras are listed as a species of “least concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, but they are still threatened by habitat loss and hunting in their native South America. By housing and caring for these animals, the park is helping to promote conservation efforts and raise awareness about the importance of protecting these unique and fascinating creatures.
The Golden Gate Park is one of San Francisco’s most popular attractions, drawing millions of visitors each year with its beautiful gardens, museums, and natural beauty. With the addition of these capybaras, the park is sure to become an even more popular destination for tourists and locals alike, offering a unique and exciting opportunity to learn about and appreciate the natural world around us. So be sure to mark your calendars and plan your visit to the Golden Gate Park to see these fascinating animals in their new home.
To learn more about San Francisco visit our free walking tours every day at 10AM from Union Square.