‘Exotic’ rabbit-deer-looking creature spotted in Colorado park. How did it get there?
The strange rabbit-deer-looking creature spotted in a Colorado park is likely a pet that someone abandoned or let go, wildlife officials said.
Now they want to make sure other exotic pet owners don’t do the same thing.
“Colorado Parks and Wildlife is reminding residents to not release unwanted pets into the wild, as it is illegal and unethical,” officials said in a July 15 news release.
“Domesticated animals are often not able to fend for themselves to find food or shelter,” officials said. “Regardless if the species is native to Colorado or non-native, unleashing it into the wild can introduce new diseases, parasites and competition for wild species.”
Lakewood city officials and state wildlife officials received multiple reports of the small critter at Bear Creek Lake Park from visitors and park rangers, McClatchy News previously reported.
One visitor posted a photo and video of the animal on Facebook and asked anyone else who saw it to contact park rangers, McClatchy News reported.
“It’s a Patagonian Mara from Argentina and won’t survive,” Reg Cox said in the post. “Not sure if it’s a lost pet or discard but deserves to live regardless!”
Colorado Parks and Wildlife suspects the “exotic” creature is “an abandoned domesticated pet,” officials said.
“This species is illegal to own as a pet in Colorado. Only licensed facilities may possess them in the state,” officials said. “CPW is continuing the search for the Patagonian Mara in hopes of placing it with an appropriate institution for long-term care.”
“Unwanted pets may be surrendered to an animal shelter or by contacting a local animal control agency for ideas,” officials said. “For exotic wildlife, contact a local CPW office. Prospective owners should know which species are legal to own in Colorado by checking with their local authorities.”
The animals are native to central and southern Argentina and are also known as Patagonian cavies or Patagonian hares, McClatchy News reported.
However, they aren’t hares at all. They’re rodents, and their closest relatives are capybaras.
Patagonian Maras a relatively small at just over 2 feet long and weighing 17 to 35 pounds when fully grown, McClatchy News reported.
The agency asked anyone who spots the animal again to report it as quickly as possible so wildlife officers have the opportunity to capture it.
