What We Know
Across several zoos in Japan, a unique and unusual competition took place: a capybara bathing contest. The event saw participants—capybaras from different locations—compete to see who could endure the longest bath time. Emerging as the champion was Prune, a capybara notable by name and accomplishment, who stayed in the bath for over an hour, besting other competitors in this unusual showdown.
This capped a fascinating and endearing display of animal behavior that captivated local fans and observers. The contest highlighted not only the capybaras’ love for water but also introduced a whimsical new attraction to the hosting zoos. Prune secured the title by demonstrating remarkable stamina in the warm water, making this rodent the undisputed long-bath champion.
What We Don't Know
Details remain unclear on numerous aspects. It’s not confirmed precisely how many zoos participated or the total number of capybaras involved. The exact rules or criteria for the contest beyond longest time spent bathing are not specified. Additionally, we don’t know if there were any prizes or formal rewards given to Prune or the zoos themselves. Other participant names and their performances have also not been disclosed. Furthermore, the purpose or origin story of the contest—whether it was a one-time event or part of an ongoing series—is not detailed.
Source
For further reading on this quirky capybara contest, visit the original coverage on UPI.