One was captured and taken to be rehomed by the JSPCA and the other was found dead by Bob Tompkins, the JEP’s nature columnist, who suspected a number of guinea pigs might be on the loose.
Mr Tompkins was walking his dogs by the edge of Links Estate, off Rue à Don, when he found the first animal at the end of last year. ‘I saw what looked like a small log – the dogs walked past it, so I thought that’s what it was,’ he said. ‘When I was closer I saw it was a dead male guinea pig, but in good condition and a good weight.’
Another guinea pig was found over a month later. ‘One of the golf-course groundsmen managed to catch it and took it to the JSPCA,’ Mr Tompkins said. ‘I had an image of it sent to me and it was a clone of the one I found and a male. The fact that they were two identical males could mean that they came from a small group in captivity and they got out. That’s as far as I’ve got but I will definitely be monitoring the area.
‘People think that they’re domesticated pets and not hardy, but they originated in Peru and basically they’re tough little creatures who can tolerate the cold really well.’
Tim Liddiard, the government’s senior natural environment officer, said he was not too concerned at the prospect of a feral guinea-pig colony on the golf course. ‘I’ve spoken to the greenkeepers and Bob’s on the case,’ he said.
‘If there are any others then people who are out and about on the golf course will probably spot them, so the guinea pigs won’t be allowed to get out of control. We don’t know if they were released or escaped, but the message is that people need to make sure their pets are safely confined.’
Mr Liddiard added: ‘Although guinea pigs aren’t widely considered to be an invasive species there are records from around the world of populations which have become feral and have caused damage to native flora by overgrazing. As with all domestic pets and plants, it is important to ensure that they remain away from the open countryside where they may breed and have damaging effects on our local ecology.’
The guinea pig that was taken to the JSPCA was not claimed after seven days and so was processed for rehoming, which comprised a full health check, parasite treatment, a microchip implant and other relevant procedures including, as he was a male, castration.
‘Once he has recovered from his surgery the vet will hopefully deem him ready to rehome after a post-op check a few days later,’ said a JSPCA spokesperson. ‘At this point the team looking after the guinea pig will undertake a behavioural assessment to decide what home will suit him best. He’s doing well and is settled into his enclosure with us here and we are hoping to find him his forever home when he’s ready.’
Anyone interested in rehoming a guinea pig can fill in an application online at jspca.org.je.
