Two capybaras broke out of their enclosures at High Park Zoo Monday, and Toronto police believe they are roaming somewhere inside the park.
Const. Craig Brister said the capybaras were reported missing Tuesday morning after they escaped their pen.
A spokesperson with the city's parks department said the two female capybaras escaped while a new male capybara was being put into the pen.
Staff with High Park and the Parks, Forestry and Recreation department are out looking for the furry animals. In total, more than 30 people are currently involved in the search, spokesperson Megan Price said.
"They are not dangerous but are skittish," she said. "People are advised to stay away from the animals so as not to scare them."
Anyone who spots the rodents, described as having brownish-reddish fur and small beady eyes, are asked to call 311 with the location of their wherabouts.
Last May, a peacock housed at the High Park Zoo escaped his pen and made his way to Roncesvalles where he was seen hopping from rooftop to rooftop.
The capybara is native to eastern South America including Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Uruguay and parts of Argentina.
Mayor John Tory joked about the missing creatures at a Tuesday afternoon news conference.
"I'm assembling a one-person task force, deputizing Coun. Gord Perks to track down and safely return the capybaras to High Park who have gone astray," Tory told reporters.
