Welcome Iyari, Palm Beach Zoo’s New Capybara.

June 27th, 2024

Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society is thrilled to announce the arrival of a new fan favorite, capybara. Iyari (e-yar-e), a ten-month-old female capybara from the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is currently visible to guests in the Zoo’s Tropics of the Americas section.

Iyari’s journey to South Florida began with a recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) a professional organization that holds zoos and aquariums to the gold standard of animal care and conservation. Capybara Species Survival Plan®(SSP). This professional scientific reproduction program carefully manages the total population of capybaras in each AZA facility, with the understanding that the animals’ genetics could possibly contribute to wild populations in the future. The goal is for Iyari and our resident male capybara Zeus, to successfully breed and contribute to the capybara population in human care. For now, they still need some time to get to know each other.

“Iyari is a very sweet and inquisitive little capybara. We hope the excitement of Iyari’s arrival contributes to the connections made between Zoo guests and the animals that live here,” said Callie Carpenter, the Zoo’s Associate Curator.

Tapirs and capybaras inhabit the same ranges in the wild and thrive around one another here at the Zoo. You can give Iyari a warm welcome and help save capybaras in the wild by visiting the zoo.  The Zoo provides support for work in Brazil that protects wild capybaras.

Iyari is currently living in a mixed-species habitat with other South American mammals, Baird’s tapirs, Spencer and Alyssa. You can find them next to the jaguar habitat while crossing over the suspension bridge.

Capybaras count on your visit. Your visit helps save wildlife.

About Palm Beach Zoo:

For more than 50 years, Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society has provided visitors with up-close and personal animal encounters that connect people to wildlife. Palm Beach Zoo guests explore a WILD ecosystem thriving on 23 lush, tropical acres while discovering hundreds of exotic animals. Palm Beach Zoo participates in scientific genetic breeding and species recovery plans known as AZA Species Survival Plan® programs, ensuring healthy animal populations for rare and endangered species. The impact of a visit to Palm Beach Zoo extends beyond the gates, inspiring people to take action and save wildlife in wild places. For more information, visit www.palmbeachzoo.org.