Lily - a member of the world's largest rodent species - has given birth to a pup at a zoo in the UK. The six-year-old animal named 'Lily' - who featured in the TV series 'The Secret Life of the Zoo' - delivered her pup at the Chester Zoo. The sex of the baby capybara is yet to be determined.
Capybaras are often referred to as 'giant guinea pigs' and can grow to up to 1.5 metres in length.
They dwell in small herds on grasslands, in tropical forests and on wetlands across much of South America where they spend much of their time in water.
Their scientific name means 'water pig'. The bodies of capybaras have been specially adapted for swimming. They have web bed feet and their eyes, ears and nostrils located on top of their heads.
Keepers at the zoo hope that the new arrival will help to bring some attention to the species, which they say is often over looked, 'The Chester Chronicle' reported.
The capybara is threatened due to habitat degradation and illegal poaching for its meat and skin, which can be turnedinto leather.
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