'It's heart-wrenching': Moray farm owners devastated after Capybaras 'stolen' during snowy weather

Farm owners in Moray say they're "absolutely devastated" as they believe their capybaras have been stolen.

Nikki and Oliver Lake, from Thorabella Farm, near Forres, went to check on the breeding pair yesterday morning and discovered they were missing.

The animals, which have become an internet sensation in recent years, were being housed in a six feet high heated enclosure.

After spending hours searching for them, with thermal cameras being used, there is no trace of them anywhere or any sign they escaped.

Nikki and Oliver paid £6,500 for the pair last year, and say demand for the animal generally continues to increase.

'Incredibly distressing situation'

Oliver told us earlier today how they're not interested in pressing charges, but just want to see their beloved creatures back home.

Police Scotland say inquiries are at an early stage.

In a Facebook post Thorabella Farm, which is a working farm that also welcomes visitors, said the situation is "incredibly distressing."

The post read: "I can't believe I'm having to write this, but our breeding pair of capybaras, who we welcomed to the farm in March last year, have been stolen.

"They were not in their heated enclosure this morning. Given the awful weather, we feared the worst and carried out a full search of the enclosure and pond.

"With the snow and ice this has not been easy, but there is absolutely no trace of them.

"The police have been informed and the farm has been thoroughly searched.

"There are no footprints or signs of escape outside of their enclosure.

"I would really appreciate this post being shared in case someone is attempting to sell them on.

"Capybaras require very specific heating, housing and dietary needs, and this situation is incredibly distressing for us.

"Yes, they cost a considerable amount, but in the grand scheme of things that is irrelevant - we just want our animals home.

"We are absolutely devastated."

Police enquiries at 'an early stage'

Speaking to us earlier, Oliver outlined how they were on a 18-month waiting list for the capybaras and how it's an emotional loss.

He said: "We love all our animals on the farm, be it rabbits, cows, capybaras, emus, buffalo, whatever it might be we love them all the same.  

"We paid £6,500 for the both of them, so it is a very large investment for us just to vanish. 

"The biggest problem is even if they never come back to us, which we hope they do, trying to get capybaras back onto the farm again is going to be difficult. 

"I'm not bothered about pressing charges, I just want them back."

Nikki added: "You look after these animals, you feel very protective of them and you really want to do your best for them. 

"You feel like you've failed them, even though the potential of them being stolen is quite high just now, just the fact that someone would do that is heart wrenching.  

"We've been out with thermal cameras looking at night and we're going to look through the day as well, just in case they have somehow managed to escape, but there were no tracks on the outside of their enclosure to suggest they managed to get out."

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Around 3.10pm on Tuesday, 6 January, 2026, we received a report of a theft of two capybaras at a premises in the Dallas area near Forres.

“Enquiries are at an early stage.”