Images of ‘green capybaras’ caused a stir among internet users after they began circulating on social media.
The greenish capybaras were spotted in the Salto Grande dam reservoir in the Entre Ríos province, Argentina. Their unusual color indicates the presence of cyanobacteria in the water they drink and bathe in.
At the same time, some beaches in the region became “unusable” due to cyanobacteria, which get their color from chlorophyll, allowing them to perform photosynthesis.
They may seem harmless, but they can contain toxins in their cells that can dissolve into the water, which is why the World Health Organization (WHO) has classified cyanobacteria as an emerging health problem.
“The best preventive measure is to carefully observe the water and sand. If the water is greenish, cloudy, or has accumulations of foam-like material, direct contact is advised against,” said the Uruguay River Commission (CARU).
#visual360 #viral | Green capybaras in Entre Ríos
The phenomenon is due to pollution in the Uruguay River waters, which ends up covering the capybaras with cyanobacteria that give them that greenish tint. pic.twitter.com/IXnuZJ5afW
— La Tecla Patagonia (@teclapatagonia) February 12, 2025
Photo and video: X @teclapatagonia. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
