2 capybaras on the loose in Toronto park

A capybara is shown in this image provided by Toronto police.

Two animals from a west-end Toronto zoo are on the loose after they were reported missing Monday evening, police say.

Toronto police tweeted on Tuesday morning that two capybaras from the High Park zoo “have escaped their pens,” but are in the park.

Zoo officials were trying to introduce a male capybara into an enclosure containing two females on Tuesday morning. That’s when the two female capybaras found a weakness in one of the gates and broke out.

Police told CTV News that they are not actively searching for the animals, but are asking people to keep an eye out for them. The animals are not dangerous and there is no public safety concern, police said.

Capybaras are large rodents native to South America. Adult capybaras can be as large as 60 centimetres in height and weigh as much as 66 kilograms.

The High Park Zoo is located in Toronto’s west end.

Officials said the animals are attracted to water and are more likely to be spotted by a creek.

“We’re asking people that see walking throughout the woods with their dogs to report sightings (by calling) 311,” said zoo supervisor Helen Sousa. “If they give us the general area, then we can go and find them.”

If you happen to be in the park and spot the animals, you can also contact Toronto Police at 416-808-1100.

This isn’t the first time an animal has made a break for it at the High Park zoo. Last year, a peacock escaped its enclosure, but was later found by park officials.

Several parody accounts have been set up on Twitter for the missing capybaras, including one that says the animals are out looking for Toronto Blue Jays’ tickets for later this week.

With files from CTV Toronto