27/06/2023 (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) - Zoo Negara's unexpected resident, an orange cat named Oyen, has become a permanent fixture and a popular tourist attraction within the capybara enclosure. Spotted seeking shelter from the rain alongside the capybaras in April, Oyen's impressive ability to blend in with the brown rodents garnered attention from netizens across Malaysia. Embracing Oyen's presence, the zoo officially recognized the cat as a permanent resident, displaying a signage with its name alongside the capybaras.
A video shared by Zoo Negara on TikTok showcased Oyen's name prominently featured beneath the Capybara title on the enclosure wall. Despite being an orange cat amidst a sea of brown capybaras, Oyen's playful and curious nature added charm to the interaction. Zoo staff couldn't pinpoint the exact timeframe of Oyen's integration with the capybaras but suspect it occurred during the Covid-19 lockdown period when the cat frequently appeared during feeding times.
This unexpected alliance between an orange cat and herbivorous capybaras has captured the attention and curiosity of visitors to Zoo Negara. Oyen's presence within the enclosure has turned into a delightful and unique attraction, showcasing the harmonious coexistence of different species in a shared habitat.