Likely once a pet, a Patagonian mara is still on the loose in Lakewood

DENVER (KDVR) — On July 2, Colorado Parks and Wildlife said its officers were searching Bear Creek Lake Park for a rabbit-like South American mammal called the Patagonian mara .

As of July 15, they were still searching.

Bear Creek Lake Park is in Lakewood, east of Highway 470 and north of U.S. 285, and welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.

The mara, or Dolichotis patagonum, is not dangerous to people and looks a bit like a large rabbit, capybara or small kangaroo. According to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute , the herbivorous breed usually is about 27.5 inches long and weighs between 17.6 and 35.3 pounds.

CPW: Releasing pets into the wild is ‘illegal and unethical’

The Patagonian mara has been seen by park rangers and visitors, according to CPW, and has demonstrated a “willingness to approach people.” That led the agency to believe that the non-native animal was likely a pet.

However, even that could cause some issues: It’s illegal for individuals to own Patagonian maras as pets in Colorado. Only licensed facilities are allowed to possess the South American rodent in Colorado, according to CPW. The Smithsonian National Zoo noted that the breed is near threatened, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species , and its population in Argentina is decreasing.

CPW is hoping to find the animal and place it with an “appropriate institution for long-term care.” Anyone who sees the animal is asked to quickly report it to CPW by calling 303-291-7272.

The agency reminds anyone who may release their unwanted pets into the wild that doing so is “illegal and unethical.”

“Domesticated animals are often not able to fend for themselves to find food or shelter,” CPW wrote. “Regardless if the species is native to Colorado or non-native, unleashing it into the wild can introduce new diseases, parasites and competition for wild species.”

Unwanted pets can be surrendered to a local animal shelter or by contacting a local animal control agency for ideas. For exotic wildlife, contact a local CPW office.

Prospective owners of exotic animals should check with local authorities about which species are legal to own in Colorado.

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