Buffalo Zoo welcomes male capybara Mozzarella

Buffalo Zoo press release & photos

The Buffalo Zoo is thrilled to announce the arrival of a 7-month-old male capybara named Mozzarella, who is now on exhibit regularly in M&T Bank Rainforest Falls.

Mozzarella was born Nov. 21, 2025, at the Cape May County Zoo in Middle Township, New Jersey, and comes to Buffalo on a Species Survival Plan (SSP) breeding recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

It is anticipated that a female capybara will arrive at the Buffalo Zoo in the fall or winter of 2026 and eventually pair with Mozzarella, in hopes that the two can successfully breed.

“The moment you see Mozzarella, it’s hard not to fall in love,” said Buffalo Zoo President and CEO Lisa Smith. “His sweet nature and expressive personality have already captured our hearts, and we’re so excited to share him with our community. We hope every guest who meets him leaves with a smile, a new appreciation for wildlife, and a deeper connection to the natural world we all share.”

Despite being a little shy at first, Mozzarella is now exploring his new habitat with plenty of curiosity and intrigue. Keepers have observed him interacting with the turtles and birds he shares his exhibit with and doing plenty of swimming.

Mozzarella (The Buffalo Zoo is the owner of these photos and provided them for inclusion with this press release.)

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Capybaras are classified as “least concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) but, despite their overall healthy population, they still face threats in the wild such as habitat loss and overhunting. Mozzarella will undoubtedly serve as a great ambassador for his wild counterparts to educate visitors on the importance of conservation.

Capybaras are native to portions of every South American country except Chile. They are semiaquatic and typically reside near and in bodies of water. As herbivores, they feed largely on grasses and aquatic plants. Measuring up to 2 feet tall and 4 feet wide, and weighing up to 170 pounds, capybaras are the largest rodent on Earth.

Visitors are encouraged to stop by M&T Bank Rainforest Falls and welcome Mozzarella to his new home in Buffalo during their next visit.

The Buffalo Zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, with last admission at 4 p.m. General admission tickets can be purchased in advance online at www.buffalozoo.org, or in-person at the front entrance gate.

More about the Buffalo Zoo: Founded in 1875, the Buffalo Zoo is a 501(c)(3) organization and the third-oldest zoo in the U.S. Each year, the Buffalo Zoo welcomes nearly 400,000 visitors annually and is among the largest tourist attractions in Western New York. Located on 23.5 acres of Frederick Law Olmsted’s Delaware Park, the venue provides interactive and educational family experiences throughout the year.

As one of just over 250 Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited institutions around the globe, the Buffalo Zoo meets rigorous, professional standards for animal management, veterinary care, wildlife conservation and research, education, safety and staffing. AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums are leaders in the protection of threatened and endangered species, and are constantly working to save wildlife through Species Survival Plan (SSP) and Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) programs – both of which the Buffalo Zoo is prominently involved in.

With a diverse collection of wild and exotic animals and more than 320 plant species, visitors are introduced to and immersed in nature each time they visit. For more information, visit www.buffalozoo.org.