Pair of capybaras break out of pen at High Park Zoo

Toronto Police say two small furry Capybara broke out of their pens at High Park Zoo sometime Tuesday morning.

Police tweeted Tuesday morning that the large rodents had escaped their pens.

Megan Price, who works for the city's parks department, told CTV Toronto that the capybaras escaped while a new capybara was being put into the pen.

More than 30 people who work at High Park and the Parks, Forestry and Recreation department are out looking for the furry animals.

"They are not dangerous but are skittish," she said. "People are advised to stay away from the animals so as not to scare them."

Anyone who spots the rodents, described as having brownish-reddish fur and small beady eyes, are asked to call 311 with the location so that city staff can be dispatched appropriately.

Last May, a peacock housed at the High Park Zoo escaped his pen and made his way to Roncesvalles where he was seen hopping from rooftop to rooftop.

The capybara is native to eastern South America including Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Uruguay and parts of Argentina.