Jersey Zoo closed earlier after a capybara escaped from its enclosure.
Staff noticed the large rodent called Tango was missing while doing their morning checks at about 08:00 BST.
The zoo reopened at about 11:30 BST after the mammal team “quickly located” Tango in the Tamarin woods in the zoo grounds, said a spokesperson.
Triplet Tango, who is just under two years old, moved to the zoo recently from Druisillas Park in East Sussex where he was a feature of World Book Day and demanded cuddles from author Dame Jacqueline Wilson.
The zoo, founded by naturalist and writer Gerald Durrell, thanked visitors and members for their patience.