Ginger cats, popularly known as ‘oyens’ are often regarded to be cheeky creatures who are always up to shenanigans and cute antics.
One oyen which first went viral in 2021 after it was spotted making itself at home at the capybara enclosure at Zoo Negara has officially been recognised as the latest member with its very own sign!
Oyen gets its own sign at Zoo Negara
In a 24-second TikTok video posted by Zoo Negara, it first begins by showing the capybara enclosure which bore a sign with the words “Capybara & Oyen” written on it.
The camera then pans to show how well the oyen has been living with the gentle capybaras, such as munching on some grass with them and even posing for the camera with a little wink.
In the caption, Zoo Negara teased viewers by hinting that another signage may be made for a cat named Roren, adding, “You all don’t know who Roren is, right?”
Began living with capybaras since Covid-19 lockdowns
The cat’s unique and close friendship with the capybaras date back to 2021, where a netizen named @nabilnash posted a video of it cuddling with the capybaras during a rainy day last September.
@nabilnash_ Mana2 ada si oyen ni 😂 #yzxbca #trending #zoonegara #oyen #capybara #fypã‚· #takkroni ♬ Funny Song – Cavendish Music
Zoo staff told The Star that they noticed the oyen’s presence during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns, where it began to show itself during the capybaras’ feeding sessions.
They also believe that the cat was most likely abandoned near the premise, given the fact that Zoo Negara is a popular place for pets to be ditched.
As the months passed, the oyen’s presence at the zoo proved to be key in reviving the zoo’s visitation rates, which suffered greatly during the pandemic as many wanted to witness this special friendship.
Netizens overjoyed by oyen’s new home
In the comment section, netizens were delighted to see the oyen finally finding itself a home among the capybaras and poked fun at the clip.
Some joked that the oyen had become a “full time staff” and achieved official recognition by the zoo.
One wrote that the cat had turned into a vegetarian after the clip showed it eating some greens like the capybaras.
Watch the adorable clip here:
@znmzoonegara Haaa oyen pun dah ada signage sendiri 🔥 Mungkin next Roren kita pulak? Korang belum kenal Roren kan 😉 #oyen #oyenbarbar #masbro #capybara #zoonegara #zoonegaramalaysia #zoonegaramalaysia2023 ♬ girls like me don't cry (sped up)
Read about how another oyen got itself into a sticky situation and was rescued by firefighters here:
