Capybaras are highly social, semi-aquatic rodents that have become increasingly popular zoo exhibits; their welfare requires adequate water access, large social groups, and appropriate social management.
Capybara welfare has emerged as a significant zoo welfare concern alongside their growing popularity. Their need for deep water access — not just a shallow wading pool — for thermoregulation and normal semi-aquatic behaviour is frequently inadequately met. Large social groups with appropriate sex ratios are important for behavioural welfare but create management challenges. Petting zoo contexts where capybaras are accessible for direct human contact raise welfare concerns about stress from handling, inadequate retreat opportunities, and the chronic social stress of inappropriate human-capybara interactions as substitutes for conspecific relationships.