Beloved Zoo Companions Pass Away Just Hours Apart

The article An unlikely pair: Beloved zoo companions die within hours of each other appeared first on AZ Animals.

Quick take

• Al and Johnson were a tapir and a capybara who became a linked pair at Newquay Zoo.

• Al and Johnson suffered age-related health problemsand the decision was made to humanely euthanize them.

• Al and Johnson were euthanized within a few hours of each other so that neither of them knows loneliness.

• Tapirs and capybaras are no natural friends in the wild.

A UK zoo is mourning the loss of an unlikely couple. Inseparable zoo friends, a tapir and a capybara, died hours apart. Their presence is missed not only by those who cared for and loved them, but also by members of the community. Visitors and locals alike knew that what they had witnessed between the two friends over the past few years was truly something special.

Capybara and Tapir, bonded couple, die on the same day

It’s never good news when a beloved pet is euthanized due to a rapidly declining quality of life. When two animals, and a bonded pair at that, are lost on the same day, the situation is beyond devastating.

On February 20, 2026, Newquay Zoo in the United Kingdom announced the deaths of two beloved animals. Al, the tapir, and Johnson, the capybara, were humanely euthanized after battling age-related illnesses.

“It is with deep sadness that we announce the loss of Johnson, our nine-year-old capybara, and Al, our 20-year-old Brazilian tapir,” read a statement from Newquay Zoo. “After careful assessment and consultation between our veterinary and animal care teams, the difficult decision was made to humanely euthanize both animals on Friday, February 20 due to their age-related decline in health.”

The statement went on to say that Al and Johnson shared a “long-standing camaraderie.” The two men were “naturally calm” and had “developed a strong bond over the years”.

“In recent months, Johnson and Al have faced increasing health issues that have impacted their quality of life,” the statement continued. “After careful consideration, we made the difficult decision to humanely euthanize them together, ensuring that neither animal was isolated following the loss of a companion. »

If Al or Johnson had been left without their companion, it is likely that their health would have rapidly deteriorated. Therefore, the decision was made to euthanize both animals, based on assessments of their physical and mental health.

Unsurprisingly, zoo visitors were left heartbroken by the news. An outpouring of love on social media was expressed for both the capybara and the tapir.

With Al and Johnson no longer residents of the zoo, it’s unclear what the future holds for the South American enclosure.

How Al and Johnson became unlikely friends

Al and Johnson did not grow up together. The two were born in different locations and were only brought to Newquay Zoo in recent years. Because they were each the only individuals of their species at the zoo, the decision was made to make them enclosure companions. This decision paid off, as Al and Johnson became a bonded couple.

Al was born in 2005 at the Gdańsk Zoo. He was transferred to Newquay Zoo in 2014. Al has always been very calm in his enclosure. Although tapirs are solitary animals, when the opportunity arose to introduce Al to another like-minded animal, Al responded well.

Johnson was born in 2016 at Chester Zoo. He was transferred to Newquay Zoo in 2017. He and Al did remarkably well in the South American enclosure. The two took turns, took naps together, shared meals side by side, and eventually bonded. During their nearly 10 years together, the capybara and the tapir enriched each other. Because the two were very dependent on each other, zookeepers found it necessary to euthanize them on the same day once the decline in both animals’ health was evident. This way, neither animal would be forced to endure the heartbreak of losing their only friend.

Capybaras and tapirs are not naturally friends in the wild

Unlike Al and Johnson, capybaras and tapirs in the wild are not friends. To be clear, they are not enemies either, but their distinct social dynamics have led the animals to remain loyal to their own species.

Capybaras are very social creatures. They live in small family units, feeding and playing together. Tapirs tend to be more solitary animals. Therefore, they are not often seen together in groups.

Both animals share a calm demeanor and lack of aggression, which is why it was safe to place Al and Johnson together in an enclosure. In the wild, however, any contact between tapirs and capybaras would be coincidental. They may cross paths while sharing a waterhole or foraging for food in the same habitat.

Tapirs and capybaras inhabit the same habitats

Although capybaras and tapirs lack connection in the wild, they come into contact from time to time, as both occupy the same habitats.

Capybaras and Brazilian tapirs live in South America, including Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay (capybaras are also located in Uruguay and Venezuela). They both like habitats close to bodies of water. Some of these habitats include:

What makes these animals so incredible is their great adaptability to their environment, able to thrive in a variety of habitats. However, the key to their survival is a body of water. Both are excellent swimmers and semi-aquatics. The two species are therefore likely to cross paths. But due to their non-aggressive and peaceful nature, skirmishes are rare.

Life expectancy of tapirs and capybaras

Al and Johnson were very different ages at the time of their deaths, raising questions about the life expectancy of tapirs and capybaras.

Tapirs, which are most closely related to horses, donkeys and zebras, have a life expectancy of 25 to 30 years, both in the wild and in captivity. Given that Al was 20 years old, zoo staff expected that he would still have a few years of healthy life left. Unfortunately, due to medical issues, Al’s life was cut short.

The capybara is the largest of all rodent species. Typically, capybaras only live about four years in the wild. This lifespan is short because they are prey animals. But in captivity, it is not uncommon for these giant rodents to live between eight and ten years. Johnson’s lifespan fell exactly within this period. Unfortunately, like his tapir friend, Johnson has also faced health issues.

Al and Johnson touched the lives of many people who saw them interact over the years, as evidenced by the outpouring of love on social media. The sweet and unlikely capybara-tapir duo will be greatly missed.

The article An unlikely pair: Beloved zoo companions die within hours of each other appeared first on AZ Animals.