LAKEWOOD, Colo. — A Patagonian mara seen multiple times at a Lakewood park in July is presumed dead, a naturalist at Bear Creek Lake Park said in an update on the park's Facebook page.
According to the update, the animal was illegally released into the park just before the 4th of July. There were multiple sightings in July, but it has not been seen since.
Many park users and staff reported seeing the animal. After consulting with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, park staff said they determined that the mara was likely the product of the illegal pet trade because it was very docile and not easily startled by humans or other wildlife.
Baited traps were set at the park in an effort to trap the animal with the intent to relocate it, but after weeks without success and no additional sightings, those traps were removed.
“Patagonian mara are a rodent species that are found primarily in Argentina, central and southern Argentina, especially the Patagonian region of Argentina," said Emily Insalaco, senior director of animal care at Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance told 9NEWS in July.
“They’re actually a near-threatened species, which means they’re not endangered but they’re definitely in danger of going that direction. And that’s mainly because the places that they live are places like open grasslands and those temperate, arid areas which are also the places people like to be. And so, they’re in a little bit of competition for some of those same resources.”
In their natural habitat, Patagonian maras have many predators including wild cats, foxes and even large birds.
Since this mara was docile and in an unfamiliar ecosystem, park staff said that nature likely took its course and that a native predator played a role.
Abandoning an animal is a crime in Colorado. If you are unable to provide quality of life for an animal in your care, please contact your local shelter to discuss surrender.
