Zookeepers were left devastated after a pair of unlikely animal best friends were put to sleep on the same day, so neither would have to face life alone. 

Johnson, a nine-year-old capybara, and Al, a 20-year-old Brazilian tapir, shared a long-standing friendship within the confines of Newquay Zoo’s South American enclosure. 

The ‘difficult decision’ to euthanise the animals was taken by staff on Friday after they both experienced age-related issues. 

Keepers at the Cornish zoo said the choice ‘ensured neither animal would experience isolation following the loss of a companion’. 

They added capybaras and tapirs are naturally calm, social species, and the two animals had become inseparable over the years.

The duo, who were firm zoo favourites, battled with their health over the last few months, which had impacted their quality of life. 

A Newquay Zoo spokesman said: ‘This has been an incredibly difficult loss for those who cared for them daily. 

‘It was difficult for us to say goodbye to them both at the same time, but it was the kindest thing for them. 

Long-standing friends Johnson, a nine-year-old capybara, and Al, a 20-year-old Brazilian tapir, were put to sleep on the same day so neither would have to face life alone

The pair shared a long-standing friendship within the confines of Newquay Zoo’s South American enclosure

‘Both animals were much-loved members of our zoo community, and their absence will be deeply felt by staff and visitors alike.’

Johnson was born at Chester Zoo in 2016 and arrived at Newquay Zoo in 2017. 

Al was born in 2005 and travelled from Poland’s Gdansk Zoo, joining the enclosure in 2014.

The zoo broke the news to fans on social media, writing on Facebook on Friday: ‘It is with deep sadness that we announce the loss of Johnson, our nine-year-old capybara, and Al, our 20-year-old Brazilian tapir. 

‘Following careful assessment and consultation between our veterinary and animal care teams, the difficult decision was made to humanely euthanise both animals on Friday 20 February due to age-related health decline. 

‘This has been an incredibly difficult loss for those who cared for them daily. Both animals were much-loved members of our zoo community, and their absence will be felt by staff and visitors alike.’

Tributes started flooding social media from devastated fans after the news was announced. 

One posted on Facebook: ‘We’re having a little cry here but understand and the decision as their welfare has to come first. 

Keepers said capybaras and tapirs are naturally calm, social species, and the two animals had become inseparable over the years

Al was born in 2005 and travelled from Poland’s Gdansk Zoo, joining the enclosure in 2014

‘My youngest looked after them when they were studying at Newquay College. We have hundreds of photos and footage of them on our phones.’ 

Another said: ‘We always made the point of looking for them on our visits and loved watching them sunbathing or swimming. 

‘We’ll miss them but not as much as their keepers I’m sure.’ 

Capybaras can live between 12 to 14 years in captivity, according to Hertfordshire Zoo, while a tapir can live for up to 25 to 30 years. 

The sad news comes after Newquay Zoo was bought by Dutch leisure company Libéma in December. 

The zoo, along with Paignton Zoo in Devon, had been put up for sale due to increasing operating costs.