Capybaras from five zoos nationwide compete for the length of bathing in hot water, and the capybaras from the zoo in Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture, have won the championship and are gaining popularity among tourists.
"Izu Shaboten Zoo" in Ito City uses a bath for breeding capybaras, and a 1-year-old female "Pol" likes the best bath in the park.
On the 8th of this month, "Pol" participated in a "long bath confrontation" in which capybaras from zoos in Saitama, Tochigi, Nagasaki, and Ishikawa prefectures compete for the length of bathing in each zoo.
Last year I was in 2nd place, but this time I enjoyed the hot water and won the championship with a record of 1 hour 58 minutes 38 seconds, which was a big difference to 2nd place.
It is the first time in seven years that the capybara of "Izu Shaboten Zoo" has won the championship.
At the zoo, a flock of capybaras enjoys the bath every year from winter to spring, and when the keeper tells us that "Pol" won the long bath confrontation, the visitors applauded. rice field.
A woman in her thirties who visited from Kanagawa Prefecture said, "We also went to a hot spring, but I feel something that is familiar to humans. I can't take a long bath for 1 hour and 58 minutes, so I thought it was amazing." I did.
Yu Takiguchi, the keeper in charge, said, "Pol is a leisurely shop at his own pace, and he usually likes the bath. I was honestly happy when the victory was decided."