21st of August 2015: At the end of watermelon feeding time, a small, round, very sweet watermelon appeared, brought by a visitor. Dongurri decided she wanted it all to herself. Donguri hadn't had much of the Biopark watermelon and as the senior capybaras, Hinase, Maple etc had had their fill and disappeared to visit Goemon, the only challengers with this new little watermelon were the very junior capybaras: Aoba, Cookie and Keiko. They know that Donguri will not harm them so they kept coming back to challenge her. Donguri looks like she is being very aggressive but in fact she never actually bites the other capybaras. As she twisted and turned to fend off the other capybaras trying to eat her watermelon she injured her leg. Donguri is almost 11 years old and the 5th oldest capybara in Japan.
About half an hour later she begins to limp and is obviously in great pain. Being highly intelligent and thoughtful she decides to go over to the "treatment room" where sick capybaras are taken to be cared for. She stands in the doorway waiting for somebody to notice her. I have never seen another capybara do this when they are injured and it just reinforces my observations about what a clever and intelligent capybara she is. The vet is called. It is important for her to rest and the best place for her to do this is in the pond. Her daughter, Momiji, is very supportive and sits near her whenever she is on land and is the only capybara who stays with her in the pond. Donguri is obviously very depressed.
As a further indication of just how intelligent Donguri is, on the second day of her injury when she is still in great pain, Donguri goes into the middle of the capybara enclosure and limps round and round in circles to attract the attention of the keepers to show them that she needs more medication. Most animals are very difficult to treat with pills, but this is not the only occasion when Donguri has shown me that she understands her need for medicine and that the keepers can give her the medication she needs. She was an exceptional capybara.
After 5 days her leg seems much better and Donguri rejoices, rolling in the watermelon juice and playing and nuzzling Momiji in the pond. Donguri and Momiji have a special relationship; Momiji is the only one of Donguri's daughters still living in the herd at the Bio Park.
21 25 Aug 2015
About half an hour later she begins to limp and is obviously in great pain. Being highly intelligent and thoughtful she decides to go over to the "treatment room" where sick capybaras are taken to be cared for. She stands in the doorway waiting for somebody to notice her. I have never seen another capybara do this when they are injured and it just reinforces my observations about what a clever and intelligent capybara she is. The vet is called. It is important for her to rest and the best place for her to do this is in the pond. Her daughter, Momiji, is very supportive and sits near her whenever she is on land and is the only capybara who stays with her in the pond. Donguri is obviously very depressed.
As a further indication of just how intelligent Donguri is, on the second day of her injury when she is still in great pain, Donguri goes into the middle of the capybara enclosure and limps round and round in circles to attract the attention of the keepers to show them that she needs more medication. Most animals are very difficult to treat with pills, but this is not the only occasion when Donguri has shown me that she understands her need for medicine and that the keepers can give her the medication she needs. She was an exceptional capybara.
After 5 days her leg seems much better and Donguri rejoices, rolling in the watermelon juice and playing and nuzzling Momiji in the pond. Donguri and Momiji have a special relationship; Momiji is the only one of Donguri's daughters still living in the herd at the Bio Park.
21 25 Aug 2015
Category
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Animals