Move over elephant pants, “Capybara pants” are here!

While Thai elephant pants have become a viral sensation, Khao Kheow Open Zoo, in Thailand's Chonburi province, has introduced its new “capybara pants”, which are expected to go on sale in March.
The zoo's “Kha Moo and the gang” Facebook page introduced its new pants, stating that this will be an element of the zoo's new “soft power”. The post was shared over 1,500 times in less than five hours.
Director General of The Zoological Park Organisation of Thailand, Attapon Srihayrun, told Thai PBS that the capybara pants were created due to the popularity of Thai elephant pants, which have inspired the zoos under the administration of the organisation to come up with items to attract more visitors. As such, officials at the zoo have decided to create capybara printed pants, as capybaras (a large South American rodent) are one of the zoo's “superstars”, alongside hippos, sloths, hyenas and bears.

Since the post has been widely shared on social media, the zoo has been receiving a lot of questions regarding the price of the pants. Attapon said that they are currently negotiating with the factory that will manufacture the garment, so that the cost is not too high. The sale price is expected to be announced in a few weeks.
Attapon also revealed that the zoo will unveil a new zone in late February, in which visitors will have a chance to get up-close and feed the capybaras.
Following the popularity of elephant pants, the capybara version is the latest animal print garment in Thailand. Other animal themed leg wear to have garnered attention on social media include Korat cat pants in Nakhon Ratchasima, rooster pants in Phitsanuloke, crab pants in Samut Sakhon, fish pants in Uthai Thani, monkey pants in Lopburi, and the list goes on.