By: Jada Pan, Staff Writer

Around 7:20 a.m. Friday, a strange discovery was made by Mills biology teacher, Steven Wang, on Highway 280 during his morning commute. While driving along Highway 280, he spotted a carcass on the roadside that he initially thought was a deer. Upon further inspection, Mr. Wang realized that it was a dead capybara, an animal native to South America.

“I thought it was a prank at first,” said Mr. Wang. “But then I remember reading an article from National Geographic about how animals from South America are migrating north because of climate change. It suddenly made sense how they reached the Bay Area.”

Capybaras are the largest rodents in the world, native to dense forests and grasslands in countries such as Peru and Venezuela. While they are usually restricted to their native habitats, researchers have recently documented unusual migration patterns as warmer climates push these animals north.

Seeing this as a learning opportunity, Mr. Wang immediately picked up the dead capybara and loaded it in the back of his truck, bringing it to school. It now resides in a chest freezer, kept fresh until the day of the dissection.

“My students are always asking, are we gonna dissect something?” said Mr. Wang. “I don’t want to kill something in order to dissect it, but if it’s already dead, there’s a good learning opportunity there.”

Since it is a rare chance to dissect an animal from South America, Mr. Wang plans on holding a live dissection in the theater on May 1. This event will be free for all students to attend, offering a rare look into the anatomy of a capybara. He encourages attendees to come with an open mind to learn about anatomy, evolution, and adaptations. The dissection will be projected on the big screen for the audience to see.

Mr. Wang assures that all necessary safety precautions will be taken for the dissection. While the capybara was relatively fresh when discovered and quickly frozen, it is impossible to know what types of bacteria are in the carcass. Attendees can expect to see the use of goggles, gloves, and gowns, with all equipment being thoroughly sterilized before and after the procedure. 

The dissection process will be graphic, and “discretion is advised” for students interested in attending. “If you feel a little woozy or need fresh air, just step outside,” said Mr. Wang.

While Mr. Wang is excited about the live dissection, experts continue to monitor the northward migration of various species along the west coast to Canada, specifically due to the rising temperatures in their natural habitats. The capybara’s presence in California sparks concerns, and its possible environmental impact on native ecosystems is also being assessed.

Dr. Barry Capelli, a wildlife biologist with the Pacific Center for Biodiversity Research, explained that the arrival of the capybara in California reflects a “significant shift in nature.” 

“This is part of a broader trend of species expanding their territories,” said Dr. Capelli. “It’s a phenomenon we’ve never seen before.”

At the same time, the appearance of the exotic animal has raised some legal concerns. Mr. Wang is currently being investigated by both state and federal authorities—the California Department of Wildlife and Homeland Security Investigations—for suspicions of illegal wildlife trafficking.

Mr. Wang insists that he is innocent, protesting that the capybara had migrated naturally.

“It’s only trafficking if you bring it across the border,” said Mr. Wang. “I didn’t bring it here. I just found it. And I’m not trying to profit from it—we’re just going to dissect it and dispose of it properly.”

When asked about any other findings besides finding the capybara, Mr. Wang said, “I didn’t know capybaras tasted like pork.”

Mr. Wang did not elaborate further on his statement.