Cinnamon's 'best life' now features in cartoon

Cinnamon's Big Adventure will premier on YouTube on Sunday

The adventures of Cinnamon captured the world's attention when she made a run for the wilderness after her enclosure gate was left open.

The escaped capybara sparked an extensive seven-day rodent-hunt near her home at Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World in Shropshire, in September 2024.

Her story led to internet memes, a song, merchandise and even a book. But now, to top it all, a cartoon of her exploits is set for a YouTube premiere on Sunday at 18:00 BST and a cinema release.

Of course, everyone loves a happy ending and Cinnamon's Big Adventure will end with her returning home, as she did - though not until after exploring woods and marshes before being found, seemingly unbothered, in a pond.

The short cartoon film is set to played on the big screen nationwide before selected films at Showcase Cinemas, later this year.

At the time of her escape, zoo owner Will Dorrell said the adventurous capybara was "probably living her best life".

Cinnamon was captured after seven days on the run last September

After the film's announcement, he said: "When Cinnamon escaped, she quickly captured the hearts of people all around the world.

"The book was an inevitable follow on from the original news story, but now seeing it come to life as a film is something special.

"We can't wait for families to enjoy it on YouTube and then experience it on the big screen. It really is a pinch me moment."

Cinnamon got new pond

Cinnamon's adventure had already been turned into a book of the same name, written by local author Tracey J Morgan and illustrated by viral "Rubbish Pet Portraits" artist Hercule Van Wolfwinkle.

Its proceeds are reinvested into the future development of the zoo, with the first cash pay-out being used for a new pond for the giant rodent and her family this summer.

Cinnamon's escape captured people's attention across the world

At one point, Cinnamon made it to the Humber Brook river, near the attraction's northern boundary, which was "a capybara's paradise" due to the vegetation and nearby water.

At the time, Mr Dorrell said she had beaten the search team "on all counts" because she could move at up to 20mph and was a fantastic swimmer.

During her escape, she was also seen on a drone "munching on grass quite happily".

But there were concerns Cinnamon could end up on neighbouring Ministry of Defence land or nearby roads and live traps were set up, playing capybara noises to encourage her home.

Eventually, 10 people were called to wade into the pond to move her back into a waiting cage.