Rio Olympics 2016: Golf athletes beware of alligators, capybaras on course

SLOW rounds are common in golf but players at the Olympics in August may need to be snappier than usual with alligators and capybaras for company.

Hatching American Alligators

SLOW rounds are common in world golf but players competing at the Olympics in August may need to be snappier than usual as they will have alligators, capybaras and other wildlife for company.

The new Olympic golf course was built in a spectacular area surrounded by lagoons that are home to several species of wild animals including alligators, according to local media reports.

Capybaras are the most adorable giant rodents.

At least five biologists will be on hand in case the reptiles need to be moved away from players or spectators, said the Folha de S. Paulo newspaper.

Authorities are also set to erect signs issuing warnings about the nearby wildlife.

Golf is returning at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics after a 112-year absence from the Games and the course was built a few miles from the neighbourhood of Jacarepegua, which means Alligator Lagoon.

Rivers in local parks are filled with alligators while capybaras, the world’s largest rodents, are also commonly sighted.

An aerial view of the site of the Olympic golf course in Barra on the 1,000th day before the Rio 2016 Olympic Games on November 9, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro.

Originally published as Rio Olympics 2016: Golf athletes beware of alligators, capybaras on course