Capybaras, the largest rodents on Earth, normally inhabit the forested areas and tropical savannas of South America's central and southern regions. But now, these animals have taken residence in Nordelta, an exclusive suburban neighbourhood north of the Argentinian capital of Buenos Aires.
Large numbers of capybaras now freely roam the neighbourhood's mansions, streets, and gardens, which has led to an international debate on environmental inequality, following news that some neighbours wanted to relocate or eradicate the native animals.
The proliferation of these huge native rodents is beginning to be problematic for luxury urbanisation projects, which are experiencing growth as expansive as that of the capybaras themselves.
While some Nordelta residents have endeared themselves with the new neighbours, others want them immediately evicted, complaining that they capybaras feed on their extensive, manicured gardens, graze at the golf course, swim in the ponds and water features, and have even bitten some pets.
Capybara are found in groups as large as 100 individuals. Source: SBS
But the question that has created discussion and controversy in Argentina is 'who invaded whom?'.
Many argue that these animals are native to the wetlands that were destroyed to build the exclusive residences of the neighbours that now complain about the 'giant rodent invasion'.
Highlights:
- Hundreds of capybaras have 'besieged' the exclusive luxury neighbourhood of Nordelta, in Argentina.
- The construction of this suburb on wetlands has caused the destruction of species of flora and fauna, in addition to the transfer of capybara populations to areas now inhabited by humans.
- Capybaras are the largest rodents in the world and inhabit the forested areas and tropical savannas of central and southern South America.
The exclusive residential complex of Nordelta, which houses approximately 40,000 people, was built 20 years ago and attracted many investors because it offers "the tranquillity of nature and the comfort of the city”.
The proliferation of new luxury housing developments ended up depriving the capybara, and other animals, of their natural habitat, which pushed them to seek food and shelter in the same private villas.
Perla Paggi, a Nordelta neighbour, advocates for the preservation of capybaras. However, other neighbours disagree, saying they should be eliminated.
View of the gated community of Nordelta, where environmentalists concerned about large numbers of capybaras that have taken residence there. Source: AP
“The capybaras were always here. We used to see a few from time to time, but three or four months ago (the builders) went to their last remaining strongholds and the stampede occurred," Ms Paggi told AFP.
Leonel Mingo, Greenpeace Argentina wetlands campaign coordinator, told SBS Spanish that the genesis of this problem was the destruction of the Paraná wetland, the capybaras' natural habitat, which also affected the populations of their natural predators.
“The Paraná Delta is the most important wetland system in Argentina and spans four provinces. They are the most populated and economically important provinces, as well as the most prosperous," he says.
"For more than two decades, these private estates were systematically built on wetlands, thus destroying not only the habitat of capybaras but also other species of flora and fauna.”
Mr Mingo considers that the destruction of wetlands in Argentina occurs as a result of a lack of specific regulations to protect them from real estate and industrial development.
"Why is this happening? Because even though 21 per cent of the Argentine territory is comprised of wetlands, there are no regulations to protect them.
“This allows any real estate developers to destroy the wetlands freely.”
The Nordelta Neighborhood Association has reported that the capibara population had grown by 17 per cent in the past year alone.
This explosive increase has generated concern not just among the neighbours, but also environmentalists.
Mr Mingo explains the high number of capybaras currently swarming the area, is due to a combination of factors: the start of the breeding season, the decrease in natural predators, and the fact that the pandemic stalled regular land management practices in the area for the past year.
"Capybaras reproduce as we come into spring ... Due to the pandemic, it was not possible to survey and manage the fauna of the Parana wetland."
Capybaras can give birth up to twice a year and have between two and eight young in each gestation. Their main predators are jaguars, pumas, foxes, anacondas, and alligators.
“When wetlands are destroyed, not only the homes of the capybara are affected, but also the predators that live by feeding on the capybara. By not having predators, the capybara population grew exponentially,” Mr Mingo says.
Mr Mingo considers the continued construction of private estates that destroy the otherwise pristine environments of numerous species of flora and fauna needs to be curtailed. He believes the explosion of the capybara population is just "a symptom" of a more ominous trend.
Environmentalists gather at the gates of the gated community of Nordelta on Aug 28. Source: AP
“The capybaras' habitat and the ecosystem are being destroyed so that wealthy people can live in the wetlands, and this has an effect on humans.
“When you destroy wetlands, you are destroying one of the main sources of drinking water, which also mitigates the effects of droughts and floods.
“Wetlands are one of the main ecosystems that capture carbon dioxide.
These types of private estates are not only destroying the homes of the capybaras, they are destroying human life and all diversity.
Capybara 'underdogs' become viral Internet sensations
The Nordelta capybaras have become more than a hot topic of national debate and a tourist attraction in Argentina — they have also become 'internet celebrities', featured worldwide in major news outlets and viral memes.
The capybaras are often described as victims of a "class war" of sorts, where they represent the underdogs, the vulnerable populations who take the law into their own hands to recover their territories from the rich.
Social networks in South America have been flooded with images of these 'beloved, cute animals' claiming back their land from 'evil wealthy Argentinians', who are represented as invaders, colonisers, and enemies of the environment.
Latin American street artist crew 'Grupo Simo' have painted a mural depicting the capybaras as 'Occupy' activists, fighting a class struggle. Source: Grupo Sismo Instagram page
When asked 'who invaded whom?', Mr Mingo answers without hesitation.
"Clearly humans invaded the capybara habitat," the Greenpeace Argentina wetlands coordinator says.
He believes further construction of new residential or industrial complexes in the area should be halted and prohibited immediately.
"Taking the capybaras out of Nordelta does not solve the problem. We must try to prevent the construction of new housing developments in wetlands.”
