A CUTE MONKEY AND A CAPYBARA THAT WERE SEEN CUDDLING HAVE A BOND THAT TRANSCENDS SPECIES
Two unlikely pals met in the Denver Zoo and aren't letting go. Rebecca, a 6-year-old capybara, was introduced to Baya, a 16-year-old black howler monkey, earlier this summer when she was moved from Brevard Zoo in Florida. It is quite uncommon to encounter these two animals together, despite both being native to Central and South America. Howler monkeys live in dense forest canopies, whereas capybaras are rodents that remain on firm ground. However, Baya chose to cling to Rebecca rather than the trees.
They were probably drawn to each other in the first place because they are the only females in the zoo's Tropical Discovery exhibit. Furthermore, both have developed an attachment through sisterhood and are naturally herd animals that require company. As any good friend would, zoo employees say they encourage and comfort one another.
“I think Baya just really finds Rebecca as a comforting friend,” Jessica Newell, the assistant curator of the Tropical Discovery exhibit, told Axios Denver. “Rebecca’s pretty calm, and Baya’s able to go to her for comfort and support…They are very content with each other.”
With over 30,000 likes on Instagram, their unmistakable friendship has undoubtedly won over many hearts and is now one of the zoo's most popular postings. With time, we want to witness even more of their sisterly bond.