Cinnamon, a capybara, escaped from her habitat at Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World in Telford on Friday and ventured into the woodlands within the zoo grounds.

The zoo owner, Will Dorrell, believes that Cinnamon has reached the Humber Brook river, near the northern boundary of the attraction, where she is likely 'living her best life.

' A large-scale search of the Humber Brook area is scheduled for Tuesday evening, with the assistance of a local thermal camera drone operator and zoo keepers.

Cinnamon managed to escape when keepers entered the capybara enclosure to mow the paddock, as she was hidden in the long grass near the gate, according to Mr.

Dorrell.

He mentioned that the two young capybaras at the zoo are always trying to find new ways to cause trouble.

Cinnamon seemed to anticipate the keepers' actions and was ready for the gate to be opened.

Although a capybara has never escaped from the zoo before, Mr.

Dorrell recalled an incident a few years ago when one managed to dig under a fence and enter an ostrich enclosure, but quickly realized it wanted to return.

Mr.

Dorrell told the BBC that Cinnamon is not in immediate danger, but the staff wants to locate her so they can bring her back to the zoo and reunite her with her family.

He suspects she is in the nearby marshland and riverways, as capybaras are excellent swimmers and live on riverbanks in the wild.

When threatened, they run into the water and can stay there for hours.

Mr.

Dorrell mentioned that the pair of capybaras stick together, but Churro, the other capybara, is doing fine as their parents still live with them.

Cinnamon was also spotted on Friday night via the zoo's trail cameras and almost returned to her enclosure, but she was not close enough for the keepers to intervene.

The public has been urged to report any sightings to the zoo but not to approach her to avoid scaring her and driving her further away.

Mr.

Dorrell emphasized that Cinnamon is very tame and would not hurt anyone, but she is likely to be timid.

He added that even if the situation continues for a while, Cinnamon is not in immediate danger.

She can comfortably survive the weather, although capybaras prefer warmer conditions, and there is plenty of food and habitat available locally.