Olympics and Year of the Rat give starring role to Japan's capybaras

Capybaras sit inside a hot tub full of apples at Izu Shaboten Zoo in Ito, Japan February 1, 2020. Picture taken February 1, 2020. REUTERS/Sakura Murakami

ITO, Japan (Reuters) - Sinking into the steamy hot springs, the giant rodents of Izu Shaboten Koen flick their ears and close their eyes against the camera clicks of fascinated onlookers, drifting into a hazy midday nap.

They might not know it, but the five capybaras are the star attraction at the zoo some two hours by train south of Tokyo, the host of this year's summer Olympic Games.