Samba the missing capybara caught on camera

New pictures have emerged of a missing capybara that escaped from a zoo more than six months ago.

Marwell Zoo, near Winchester in Hampshire, is still trying to recover one-year-old Samba, who attracted global interest after she went on the run in March.

Grainy images were captured this month after wildlife cameras were set up following her last sighting in August.

Samba escaped from the zoo on 17 March, less than a day after arriving. She broke out of a temporary enclosure she shared with her sister, Tango, who was quickly recaptured.

In a statement the zoo said: "Since confirming that we had new photographic evidence of Samba's whereabouts in August, our team has continued working tirelessly to bring her safely back to Marwell Zoo.

"Recovering Samba is a gradual and carefully managed process. Although we know the area she is in, it isn't simply a case of being able to approach and collect her.

"It's vital that we keep any stress to an absolute minimum, as frightening or disturbing her could cause her to move away from the area and make her safe recovery more difficult.

"Over recent weeks, we have installed additional wildlife cameras, which have provided further photographic evidence of Samba."

Staff at the zoo have established a feeding area, encouraging Samba to become familiar with the location and return regularly.

"This is an important step in our plans to safely recover her," the zoo explained.

The exact location of the most recent images, taken on private land, is being kept confidential.

The zoo said it was "grateful" for the "continued interest and support" in Samba, and was "focused on bringing her home safely".

Keepers introduced a male capybara named Ripple alongside Tango in July.

Samba, however, has stayed on the run and is considered the more adventurous of the pair.

In the months since her escape, the young capybara has been reported at several locations, including near a pub and sunning herself on a riverbank.

Originally from South America, capybaras are the world's largest rodents, with stocky bodies, short legs and partially webbed feet.