Japan to hold 10th annual Capybara watermelon eating contest

A coalition of five Japanese animal parks has announced the 10th annual “Capybara Watermelon Speed-Eating Contest”.

This event, now a yearly summer tradition, pits capybara representatives from each zoo against one another in a race to devour a slice of watermelon.

The competition is organized by a group of zoos that also collaborate on the popular “Capybara Open-Air Bath” winter event.

The rules of the competition are straightforward.

Each capybara will be given a 500-gram slice of watermelon, including the rind, and the time will be measured until it is completely consumed.

The winning capybara will receive a gold medal, a certificate, and local specialty products from each of the four losing zoos.

Here are the contenders for this year’s title:

Contender: Yotake (Male, 2 years old)

Representing: Izu Shaboten Animal Park
Event Time: 9:00 AM
Handler’s Comment: As a newcomer to the competition, the park’s staff is excited to see what kind of fight Yotake will put up and is aiming for victory.

Contender: Mitt (Male, 6 years old)

Representing: Nagasaki Bio Park
Event Time: 2:00 PM
Handler’s Comment: Originally from the Saitama zoo, his current keepers are confident that even with recent local plumbing issues, nothing will stop him from winning the watermelon race.

Contender: Luffa (Female, 6 years old)

Representing: Saitama Children’s Zoo
Event Time: 2:00 PM
Handler’s Comment: Luffa is the reigning champion, having won the competition for the last three consecutive years, and is now aiming for a fourth title.

Contender: Giba (Female, 8 years old)

Representing: Nasu Animal Kingdom
Event Time: 1:15 PM
Handler’s Comment: After a disappointing second-place finish last year, Giba has been practicing hard to claim the top spot this time.

Contender: Rin (Female, 9 years old)

Representing: Ishikawa Zoo
Event Time: 11:00 AM
Handler’s Comment: Rin usually likes to take her time and savor her food, but her keepers are hopeful she will be a little more conscious of the clock this year.

The organizers have noted that the event utilizes the capybaras’ natural instinct to eat quickly to prevent others from taking their food, and the animals are not forced to eat faster than they are comfortable with.

The 10th annual Capybara Watermelon Speed-Eating Contest is scheduled to take place on Sunday, the 27th of July, which is also “Watermelon Day” in Japan.