CapyCove: A capybara ‘oasis’ is coming to St. Pete

A new resort in St. Petersburg will cater to massive South American rodents rather than humans, who are also invited.

Brianna Holzerland, founder of CapyCove, calls the long-planned facility a tropical oasis for capybaras. The world’s largest rodent species is known for its docile demeanor and gentle disposition.

Holzerland already offers interactions with baby capybaras at a Kahwa Coffee shop in Tampa. She anticipates opening the outdoor experience in St. Petersburg by May 2026.

“We could have easily opened today and done what everyone else is doing,” Holzerland said. “But we wanted to make it something special.”

Brianna Holzerland, founder of CapyCove, and Frances, one of her juvenile capybaras.

CapyCove’s focal point is an “Italian-designed” lagoon for the animals, which can grow to over four feet long and weigh between 60 and 174 pounds. Holzerland compared the facility at 2918 24th St. N. to a backyard resort.

Visitors can have their picture taken while interacting with and feeding the capybaras. They can also sit back and watch the semiaquatic herbivores swim, frolic in the grotto’s waterfall or jump off its rock features.

“We’re going to offer different activities, like capybara yoga and painting with a twist,” Holzerland said. “I’m from St. Pete, so the goal is to keep this local.”

The building will feature a large mural, and visitors can buy local artwork that will adorn the walls. Holzerland also plans to incorporate small businesses and nonprofits into CapyCove.

“We don’t want to make this feel like another chain,” she added. “We want this to feel like someone’s bungalow, and you get to see the animals living in their natural habitat – outdoors versus inside.”

Holzerland also breeds and trains Belgian malinois K-9s for law enforcement. Local TV outlets have highlighted her company, Holzerland Protection Dogs, for donating puppies to veterans with PTSD.

She holds a Class III wildlife permit, and has raised exotic cats, including servals and bobcats. Hozerland said capybaras are “like emotional support animals” and “super easy compared to the big cats.”

Two of her capybaras came from a zoo in North Carolina, and one she acquired from a broker. “They are very hard to find right now because they’re in high demand,” Holzerland said.

While CapyCove will cater to the animals, she said the facility will also offer humans a place to decompress. “We’re going to try and make it affordable, as well,” Holzerland added.

For now, capybara enthusiasts can find Holzerland and her rodents at 4530 Gandy Blvd. in Tampa from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Interactions are $40, which includes food for the animals, photos and a beverage from Kahwa Coffee. Proceeds will help fund CapyCove.

Holzerland will not cage the capybaras. She received state approval to install 10-foot fencing.

“You’re not going to feel like you went to a zoo,” Holzerland said. “You’re going to feel like you walked into a beautiful backyard, and you just happen to see capybaras grazing around, having a blast.”

CapyCove will offer catering and host special events. Holzerland also plans to partner with a nonprofit that serves at-risk youth.

She is pursuing her doctorate in criminal justice and believes bottle-feeding a “helpless being” could have a profound impact on a wayward teen’s life. Hozerland said the experience will also show them that there are “kind people out there” who care.

CapyCover will open at 2918 24th St. N. in St. Petersburg.