Two giant rodents to spend summer at London Zoo

London Zoo will be the temporary home for a pair of giant rodents while their permanent home is prepared for them.

Capybaras Gizmo and Kiwi will spend summer in the city until their move to Whipsnade Zoo, Bedfordshire, which is London Zoo's sister site.

Visitors can meet the duo as part of the Feeding Time at the Zoo event over half term.

Zookeeper Jessica Lawrance said: "Gizmo and Kiwi are a really charismatic pair, and we're really enjoying getting to know them and their preferences and quirks."

Capybaras ( Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) are found throughout northern and central South America and are closely related to guinea pigs.

Capybaras are known for their healthy appetites - they eat plants and grasses - however they have a habit of eating their own poo as the grasses they eat can be hard to break down.

Gizmo and Kiwi will live next to Amara - a pygmy hippo transferred from Edinburgh as part of the zoo's conservation breeding programme for endangered species.

Jessica expects the rodents will spend a lot of time splashing around outside.

"We can't wait to see the joy on people's faces when they meet Gizmo and Kiwi," she added.

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