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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Science
Athena Stavrou & Julia Banim

Zoo welcomes first new capybara in more than a decade after parents' 'Valentine's date'

A zoo is celebrating the arrival of its first new capybara in more than a decade, born after zookeepers arranged a romantic Valentine's date for her now loved-up parents.

Capybara couple Clementine and Augustus, didn't hit it off straight away, but the staff at Drusillas Park in East Sussex were determined to try and ignite a spark, fearing the pair would never get together.

However, like many great love stories, their indifference turned to something more one fateful Valentine's Day, after staff set out a special meal for them, complete with a white linen table setting, flowers, hearts, and a taster menu made up of delicious raw veggies.

This 'will they, won't they' date proved to be a great success, with an adorable capybara baby girl welcomed to the world on June 22.

The timing of the baby's arrival would suggest that sparks flew on Valentine's Day (Drusillas Park / SWNS)

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A Drusillas Park spokesperson at Drusillas Park said: "Clementine spent several years searching for her Mr Right. A lady who refused to settle for just anyone, Clementine had rejected many potential suitors over the years, and keepers had almost given up hope of finding her a mate."

Head Keeper, Gemma Romanis said: "We were over the moon to discover the new baby a couple of weeks ago.

"Not only because it's our first capybara pup in over a decade, but because everyone has been rooting for Clementine and Augustus - and our efforts help them find love really worked".

The new family is said to be "inseperable" (Drusillas Park / SWNS)

Romanis added: "The dates between the romantic meal and the arrival of the new baby, against the gestation period for the capybaras, suggest that maybe our Valentine’s meal was even more of a success than we thought."

The young family is now said to be inseparable, with the first-time parents said to be absolute naturals when it comes to caring for their baby.

The unnamed baby is thankfully healthy, with a lively, and very confident, temperament which shows just how safe and secure she feels under her parents' watchful gaze.

Do you have an adorable animal-related story to share? Email us at julia.banim@reachplc.com

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