Capybara Cafes and other animals

[Catherine]

In Asia, animal cafes have really gained popularity. In particular, Capybara Cafes are very popular. People will pay just to spend time petting a Capybara or any number of other species.
This situation has problems. Where do the animals come from? Some are ethically sourced. Some are endangered animals from questionable sources.
So these cafes could be linked to an increase in animals trafficking and the illegal pet trade. People love to pet the Capybara and then they want one.
Not all animals are suited to being personal pets. Not all people could actually care for an animal like a Capybara. 

The illegal pet trade is a serious and growing problem. 
Linked to that is the risk of a species being released and becoming invasive. 


https://www.theguardian.com/environment/...pecies-aoe

Capybaras are really sweet and I can see why someone would want one. However petting a baby capybara for 30 min is a lot different than living with a 60 pound rodent. They are big and have needs that most people couldn't properly meet. 
Capybaras are adaptable. They can live in a variety of temperatures. They can eat a variety of vegetation. They also breed quickly.
They like and need water. They eat vegetation. Picture Capybaras getting loose in an area that grows rice.
I think they would love a place like that and would take over. They could potentially destroy the rice growing industry of a whole area. 
A herd of hungry Capybaras could damage a large part of the world's rice supply. They would have no natural predators in some areas.
It is a risk that should be thought about and the cafes need to be regulated. 
Any species that could become invasive needs to be monitored. The world is already struggling to deal with enough invasive species issues.
I love Capybaras, but I suspect they could survive in a lot of places and that would not be a good thing.