Giant rodent chat brought back to life

Staff Report

Rockford, Ill. — Ever since a still unnamed bowfisherman stuck a giant capybara last year in southern Illinois, questions have floated on the legality of harvesting, shooting or owning the rare rodent. A Jan. 16 report by WTVO-TV in Rockford reignited the discussion.

“Only Arizona, Arkansas, Texas, Florida, Indiana, Nevada, Washington, North Carolina, and Tennessee allow people to keep capybaras as pets,” the report noted, adding that it is illegal to have a capybara as a pet in Illinois. And harvesting one? DNR has not weighed in.

In June 2022, a man bowfishing in Randolph County killed an adult capybara. He shared photos on social media, creating a wave of discussion about the South American rodent.

It is believed the rodent killed last year had been kept as a pet.