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It is my aim to see a capybara before leaving Rio. They probably will disgust me, but fears should be faced and, hey, we slow down to watch car accidents, right?
“There are definitely some places we go in the world, and wildlife is prevalent, and you see some different stuff than you’re used to seeing in the United States,” said Team USA golfer Rickie Fowler. “Capybara being the largest rodent, as they say, it is a decent-sized animal. I would not want to get into a fight with it, that’s for sure. There are some caimans (essentially, small alligators) cruising around, too, and I am definitely going to steer clear of those.”
Of course, it is unlikely that the capybara would be looking for a fight, anyway. They’re docile animals, and even kept as pets by some (weirdos). Capybara have been also known as, “nature’s ottoman,” because they’re a laid-back species and so many other animals like to lounge around and sit on their backs.
Fowler said that the golf course, home to the first Olympic golf in 112 years, is in very good shape. There are no trees, but players hitting off the fairways will be punished by difficult rough and sand traps — the course is built on a former sand quarry, and designer Gil Hanse reflected that in his layout. The course is heavy on water hazards and should be susceptible to the high winds that kick up, often unexpectedly, around Rio.
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Susceptible, too, to local fauna. The capybara, especially.
“It’s cool,” Fowler said. “They’ve done a great job with the golf course, keeping it with somewhat of a natural habitat. I mean, if I was a capybara, I would love to live there at the Olympic course.”
