How Cinnamon's great escape led to capybara craze

Cinnamon, a young capybara, recently captured the hearts of animal lovers around the world after her daring escape from Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World in Shropshire. This incident occurred on Friday the 13th, and it quickly became a sensation on social media. Many users joked that Cinnamon was out on a pub crawl to celebrate her first birthday, and her story inspired a flurry of memes and merchandise. The keepers at the zoo shared their experiences with the BBC, detailing the stress and excitement of the week when Cinnamon went missing. Fortunately, she is now safely back in her enclosure with her family, which includes her mother Chincha, father Chimu, and brother Churro. The escape happened when Cinnamon was startled by a tractor mower, causing her to slip through a gate that had been accidentally left open. The zoo staff realized she was missing within minutes and began searching for her. They discovered that she had wandered into a nearby area filled with long grass and trees. By the following night, she had ventured beyond the zoo's perimeter, prompting the owners, Will and Becky Dorrell, to issue a public appeal for help in locating her. Thankfully, a local resident used a thermal drone to find Cinnamon just 200 meters from the zoo's boundary. As rescuers approached her, people around the world were captivated by the unfolding story and eagerly awaited updates. During an interview, Will made a lighthearted comment that Cinnamon was probably 'living her best life,' which quickly became a popular quote shared across social media platforms. The zoo staff, who volunteered to work around the clock to find Cinnamon, were fueled by adrenaline. Will described the week as incredibly challenging for him and his wife, as they were both running on just two hours of sleep each night. When they finally located Cinnamon, it was a tense moment, as rescuers had to wade into a pond to coax her into a cage. Will emphasized that they did not want to celebrate until she was safely back in her paddock. Once she was returned, the staff collectively breathed a sigh of relief and celebrated her safe return. Will expressed, 'We're all exceptionally happy over it,' and they organized a big celebration for the staff who played a role in bringing her back. The overwhelming interest in Cinnamon's story took the zoo team by surprise. Will noted that it was heartwarming to see so many people wanting updates and feeling invested in her adventure. However, the global attention also added pressure to the situation. Will acknowledged that while they were thrilled to have Cinnamon back safe and healthy, they were always concerned that things could have gone wrong. Cinnamon, who celebrated her first birthday on September 14, is now about three-quarters of her adult size. Aside from a minor scrape on her nose, she emerged from her week of exploration remarkably unharmed. Will mentioned that she seemed a bit cheekier now, curiously looking around her paddock. One comment on the zoo's Facebook page perfectly captured the public sentiment: 'Awww so glad she's back safe! Never been so worried about an animal I've never met. ' Although the zoo is home to around 100 different species, Cinnamon has undoubtedly become the star attraction. While she took a break from the limelight, many fans suggested creative ideas for the zoo, such as writing a children's book about her adventures. One enthusiastic follower even joked about the potential for merchandise featuring Cinnamon. The zoo announced plans for a belated birthday party for her on October 12, which will include a fun picture hunt around the zoo. Will mentioned that now that they know Cinnamon is safe, they can have some fun with her story. They have started selling Cinnamon-themed toys, magnets, and clothing, with an impressive 100 orders received on the first day alone. A children's book is also in the works, and there are even whispers of a movie, although Will confirmed that no one from Hollywood has reached out yet. Cinnamon is set to return to public display on Saturday, and the zoo anticipates a large turnout. Will remarked that the previous Saturday was busier than usual, and he is eager to see how many visitors will come in the following weeks.