How capybaras are helping to bring the feel-good factor to visitors at a Nottinghamshire theme park

It’s where the money is off course with each experience costing a pretty penny as people clamour to enjoy memorable life moments and make a dent in their bucket list.

But there’s more to it than an attraction simply making some easy pounds out of their cute, and in some cases, cuddly residents.

As well as providing lasting memories, getting up close and personal with the animals is now helping the public build up an affinity with certain species and enhance the fight to educate and conserve.

It’s a trend that animal lovers visiting Nottinghamshire’s Wheelgate Park are also very eager to take up with the attraction’s new capybara experience proving to be a big hit.

Farnsfield’s favourite family attraction now has three of these lovable critters, namely Winnie, Mary and Sarah.

Tim Chapman-Hart is one of the farm supervisors responsible for their care and he believes their calming nature is one of the main reasons for their ongoing appeal.

“Since we have been doing the experiences it has gone really well and we have had a lot of interest,” explained Tim.

“Some people travel from far away to visit the capybaras. They are gentle, easy going, calm and sedate. You can have the worst day possible and when you come and sit with a capybara all those troubles disappear.

“It is really nice to have that up close and personal touch and feel. When we were looking at the age range for them we didn’t want to go too young or too old, so we set it at 7 years.

“We are also getting a lot of interest from adults only and people wanting to do this as a birthday experience.

“We are looking to offer more animal experiences in the future and do more work with school groups.

“If you do the experience you get the education but you also get that up close connection and bonding with that animal.”

Capybaras - essentially a massive guinea pig - originate from South America but are now common around the world.

These semi-aquatic animals can live up to 22 years of age depending on how they are looked after with fruit, vegetables and grass making up their diet.

Wheelgate have only been running capybara experiences since the February half-term holidays following a period of acclimatisation to their new surroundings.

“The main part for us was the welfare of the animals. We didn’t want to rush it,” added Tim. “We knew from day one that Winnie would be fine, she is very confident. It was just Mary and Sarah, but their confidence has grown. They are all sisters and they do get on really well. They have become a big attraction.

“We did a lot of investigation and research into what they eat, how much land they need, anything that they need.

“We have gone with a nice deep pond because they love to swim. They have got plenty of hay and grass, so they have a full varied diet.

“They are quite hardy animals and kind of look after themselves really, but we do look after them as well. We have got our heat lamp in the winter and a nice deep bed.”

On average, they eat up to 3kg of fruit and veg a day, with that food being supplied by the local supermarket.

Tim, who is one of two full-time and one part-time members of staff down on the farm, believes going to see a capybara is the perfect thing to do when you need to rediscover your smile.

“It helps you relax as well. Winnie will just sit there all day for cuddles and it helps you if you’re having a bad day. Come see a capybara and it will brighten your day,” said Tim.

“They have got their own characteristics. Winnie just loves people and has been like that since day one. Sarah is getting more confident now. Mary is less confident, but she does come up eventually.

“We have grown very strong bonds with them. I was one of the first people to come in when they arrived, so they kind of got used to me straight away.

“Once they recognise us they will come up to us for food and a stroke. It is a great environment to be in.”

You can find out about capybara experiences at Wheelgate, here.