Few things warm the heart like a good, wholesome animal friendship. Capybaras have become renowned among internet circles for their surprising friendliness towards all manner of other animals. A group of capybaras at Malaysia’s Zoo Negara have recently welcomed a new member of the family… and he’s not a capybara!
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@znmzoonegara Oyen: Beza awak dengan saya apa? Capybara :â“â“ #funwithnature #zoo #lucu #masbro #masukberanda ♬ kucing mampus – Kxcingg
Meet Oyen!
In true cat fashion, Oyen began to appear at the zoo sometime during 2020 and made himself at home. Because he didn’t have a microchip, and no one reported him missing, zookeepers believed the cat was a stray. While we don’t know much about Oyen’s background, we do know one thing – he loves capybaras as much as we all do!
Like we mentioned before, capybaras have a remarkably amiable nature and seem to form unlikely friendships with many species. These herbivorous creatures have been photographed socializing with monkeys, deer, and even crocodiles.
So it should come as no surprise that the capybaras at Zoo Negara quickly embraced Oyen as one of their own, forming a tight-knit bond that would last for years.
However, capybaras and cats are quite different and have very different feeding habits!
Cats are carnivores, while capybaras are strict herbivores. But despite their different dietary preferences, Oyen found his place among the capybaras. The zookeepers recognized that Oyen wanted to be included in the capybaras’ feeding time and made sure he received his fair share of feline-appropriate meals.
Oyen’s charming personality and heartwarming story captured the hearts of not only his capybara family but also the general public. Visitors started flocking to Zoo Negara to catch a glimpse of the adorable cat and his capybara friends.
It’s almost comical to think about people visiting a zoo just to see a cat!
The zoo’s management recognized the public’s devotion for Oyen and his unique bond. In the spirit of this new family, they decided to honor him with a plaque, officially recognizing him as a resident of the capybara enclosure.
The sign outside the habitat now proudly reads “Capybara & Oyen.” The zoo posted a video announcing the new sign and teasing potential new friends with the caption “Wow, Oyen already has his own signage. Maybe we’ll have Roren next? You don’t know Roren yet, do you?”
@znmzoonegara Haaa oyen pun dah ada signage sendiri 🔥 Mungkin next Roren kita pulak? Korang belum kenal Roren kan 😉 #oyen #oyenbarbar #masbro #capybara #zoonegara #zoonegaramalaysia #zoonegaramalaysia2023 ♬ girls like me don’t cry (sped up) – thuy
The heartwarming tale of Oyen and the capybaras serves as a reminder of the power of friendship and acceptance. Despite their differences in species and dietary needs, Oyen and the capybaras embraced each other as family. Their bond transcends the boundaries of conventional relationships and showcases the beauty of unconditional love and friendship in the animal kingdom.
You can find the source of this story’s featured image here.
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