She arrived
on a Monday.
Gone by Tuesday.
On 16 March 2026, two nine-month-old capybara sisters — Samba and Tango — arrived at Marwell Zoo in Hampshire, transferred from Jimmy's Farm in Suffolk. They were placed in a temporary holding area while standard checks were completed.
The very next morning, both had escaped. Tango was found hiding in nearby bushes. But Samba had already crossed every boundary. She was gone.
Dog walker Claudie Paddick filmed Samba sunbathing on the bank of the River Itchen. When approached, Samba launched herself into the water and vanished in seconds. The video went viral within hours.
Marwell deployed thermal imaging drones SDF-02, specialist scent dogs, and camera traps. A 24/7 hotline received hundreds of reports. She was spotted at a pub beer garden, on riverbanks at dawn, in villages across Hampshire. Sightings now stretch as far as Wiltshire.
| 01 | 16 Mar 2026 | Arrived at Marwell Zoo | Samba & Tango transferred from Jimmy's Farm, Suffolk. Temporary holding. Standard checks pending. |
| 02 | 17 Mar 2026 | The Great Escape | Both sisters break out. Tango caught in bushes inside the zoo. Samba disappears into Hampshire wilderness. |
| 03 | 19 Mar 2026 | The Viral Footage | Filmed on the River Itchen. Samba dives in and swims away. Global internet erupts within 24 hours. |
| 04 | 20 Mar 2026 | The Pub Visit | Spotted at The Ship Inn beer garden, Owslebury. Volunteers arrive with nets. Samba is already gone. |
| 05 | Late Mar 2026 | Global Meme Status | Businesses post fake AI sightings. #FindSamba trends worldwide. She is everywhere except caught. |
| 06 | Apr 2026 — Now | Still. Free. Still Art. | Sightings reach Wiltshire. A mysterious capybara mural appears overnight on London Road Brew House, Southampton. Thermal drones. Dog units. 24/7 hotline. Samba: unbothered. |
