A woman endured a frightening encounter with a capybara, the world’s largest rodent, while swimming in a lake in northern Colombia.
The unsettling incident, filmed in Ciénaga, unfolded as the young swimmer tried to warn the animal to stay away by raising her finger and cautiously stepping back in the water.
Without warning, the capybara lunged at her, climbing onto her back and appearing to bite her head.
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The woman’s screams echoed as she struggled to fend off the aggressive rodent, which continued its assault.
A man watching from the shore rushed to her aid, wielding a sturdy stick to drive the animal away.
He managed to pull her from the water, and the shaken swimmer could be seen sobbing into her hands as the ordeal ended.
The footage, shared widely online, sparked a mix of reactions. One local remarked, “Just because they look calm and cute in videos doesn’t mean they aren’t wild animals.”
Another questioned, “Why would she swim with it?”
Comments ranged from shock to criticism, with one viewer noting,
“Why did it take so long to help her? It was biting her head and face!”
Others expressed sympathy, calling the attack terrifying and the victim brave.
Capybaras, native to South America, are known for their typically calm demeanor and are often associated with serene and sociable behavior.
Found in dense forests and savannas near water, these large rodents can weigh up to 146 pounds and live for eight to ten years.
Despite their reputation for being gentle, they can become defensive if they feel threatened, as this alarming incident demonstrated.
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SOURCE: Horror as woman attacked by world’s largest rodent while swimming in lake
