Capybara Triplets Make First Outdoor Outing on TV Animal Farm
Two-week-old capybara triplets Il-dung, E-dung, and Sam-dung made their first public outdoor outing on November 1, at 9:30 a.m., as broadcast on the SBS program ‘TV Animal Farm.’ The newborns ventured beyond their temporary enclosure to explore an expansive outdoor yard and hot spring alongside their mother, Dutum-i, and father, Dotom-i.
Rapid Development in the Outdoor Yard
Born on September 28, the capybara triplets display unusually fast development speeds, having entered the world with their eyes open, coats grown, and the immediate ability to walk. Capybaras are precocious animals capable of movement right after birth. The triplets quickly began mimicking the behavior of their parents, showing strong curiosity and appetite by taking an interest in adult food even before being fully weaned.
While the parents retreated to the outdoor hot spring to swim and dive according to their natural semi-aquatic instincts, the unattended triplets began crying out for them, creating a temporary childcare gap in the enclosure. To help the young animals adjust, keepers prepared preparatory exercises before leading them to the water.
Keeper Intervention at the Hot Spring
During the entry into the hot spring, the first-born triplet bravely followed its mother past the shallow edge and swam straight into water two meters deep. The sudden disappearance of the infant beneath the surface prompted a keeper to rush forward with a landing net to manage the tense situation.
Protective Fatherly Instincts
Meanwhile, father Dotom-i exhibited a marked change in behavior. Known for a relaxed and sociable demeanor, Dotom-i stood guard during the birth and refused to leave the family. During the first outing, he scouted the perimeter ahead of the rest of the group to check for safety and even blocked the production crew’s cameras with his body to protect the offspring.
Unusual Animal Companionships on Sunday’s Broadcast
Additional segments previewed by SBS include a continuation of the capybara triplets’ second chapter and the return of a turtle after seven years. The program regularly features hosts Shin Dong-yup, Jeong Sun-hee, Tony Ahn, and Joy.