The pups’ popularity also directly supported conservation work, she explained, as each visitor contributed £1 to the park’s conservation fund unless they opted out.
“Although themselves [capybaras] may not be endangered, they’ve actually created a lot of extra money this weekend for the conservation fund and spread a lot of joy and oohs and aahs,” she said.
The fund supports projects locally with Manx Wildlife Trust and internationally, including work in the Pantanal, where wild capybaras live.
She said the pups arrival had lifted spirits at a time when many people were seeking moments of joy.
“I think when there’s so many just awful things that happen in the world, sometimes these little things just give us a bit of light relief, don’t they?,” she added.