Garda Gráinne McLoone and Garda Patrick Kelly accompany
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07 Jan 2026
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07 Jan 2026
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The owners of a farm in Moray have said they are “absolutely devastated” after a breeding pair of capybaras was seemingly stolen from their enclosure on Tuesday.
The animals were being housed at Thorabella Farm in Dallas, near Forres, which acquired them in March last year.
The farm’s owners said they “feared the worst” when they could not see the mammals in their heated enclosure on Tuesday morning, amid the current bitterly cold weather.
Despite a thorough search of the enclosure and wider farm the animals were nowhere to be found, and nor were there any footprints or signs they had escaped.
In a post on social media the farm said the police had been notified of the “incredibly distressing” incident.
The post also raised concerns about the animals’ welfare, saying they have “very specific” needs in terms of heating, housing and diet.
“I can’t believe I’m having to write this, but our breeding pair of capybaras, who we welcomed to the farm in March last year, have been stolen,” the post read.
“They were not in their heated enclosure this morning. Given the awful weather, we feared the worst and carried out a full search of the enclosure and pond.
“With the snow and ice this has not been easy, but there is absolutely no trace of them.
“The police have been informed and the farm has been thoroughly searched.
“There are no footprints or signs of escape outside of their enclosure.
“I would really appreciate this post being shared in case someone is attempting to sell them on.
“Capybaras require very specific heating, housing and dietary needs, and this situation is incredibly distressing for us.
“Yes, they cost a considerable amount, but in the grand scheme of things that is irrelevant — we just want our animals home. We are absolutely devastated.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 3.10pm on Tuesday January 6, 2026, we received a report of a theft of two capybaras at a premises in the Dallas area near Forres.
“Inquiries are at an early stage.”
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