The two animals were taken from Thorabella Farm in Dallas, Forres, in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
17:54, 06 Jan 2026Updated 18:10, 06 Jan 2026
The capybaras were taken from Thorabella Farm(Image: Thorabella Farm)
A pair of capybaras have been reported as stolen from a farm in Moray. It’s believed Javier and Esmerelda, who are just 10-months old, were taken from Thorabella Farm in Dallas, Forres, in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Staff at the farm say they were found missing from their heated enclosure this morning and fears are growing for the animals. The capybara is the largest living rodent and is native to South America.
They require very specific heating, housing and dietary needs – and bosses at the farm say the situation has been “incredibly distressing” for them. Speaking to the Record, Nikki and Ollie Lake, who run the farm, said: “We’re absolutely devastated and just want them returned home.
The animals were taken from their heated enclosure(Image: Thorabella Farm)
“Javier and Esmerelda were stolen. They are only 10 months old, so they aren’t fully grown yet. They are the only breeding pair up here in Scotland and we welcomed them to the farm in March last year.
“They were not in their heated enclosure this morning and, 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 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.”
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The animals are not a widely available pet and as a result can cost a lot of money from specialist breeders, with prices starting at around £1,000. The farm owners continued: “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. This is an extremely upsetting time for us.”
Thorabella Farm is a working farm with buffalo, highland cows, sheep, goats, wallbies, rabbits, hens and bees. The shop on site sells farm produce including buffalo, eggs, honey and milk, as well as produce from all other local businesses.
The farm also offers accommodation in one of three straw bale holiday cabins. Officers from Police Scotland have confirmed their enquiries into the theft remain ongoing.
A spokesperson for the force 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. Enquiries are at an early stage.”