Local celebrity Antonio the Capybara became the island’s newest BARK ranger on June 28 during the Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor’s Dog Island Days.

“I have never had a BARK Ranger like Antonio!” said Ranger Allison of the National Parks Service, which runs the BARK Ranger program. “This was definitely a very special first. I have sworn in cats and dogs, but never a Capybara until Antonio!”

The BARK Ranger Program is part of the National Park Service’s “Healthy People, Healthy Parks” Initiative. Each letter of BARK stands for something pet owners can do within the park to the park and its visitors safe. B is for bag your pet’s waste. A is for always wearing a leash. R is for respect for wildlife. And K is for know where you can go.

Visitors to English Camp and American Camp can pick up an activity booklet, take the pledge, and receive a collectible dog tag. They also get a certificate, complete with a paw print stamp.

“Taking a Capybara paw print wasn’t in our training manual,” said Park Volunteer, Jo Lynne Roberts. “We were able to successfully get ink on Antonio’s paw, but it ended up on his owner instead of his certificate.”

Antonio’s owner, Lynnette Cabrera, can be found around the island with her various work through Equinox Productions. Antonio can be seen by her side in person at the Grange Booth at the farmer’s market, at the Zucchini 500 area of the San Juan County Fair (his owner is the Zucchini Queen after all), or online on YouTube, Cameo, Patreon, and other social media sites. He even has his own merch.

The BARK Program is offered to all pets who are willing to follow the NPS’ guidelines.

“We love seeing visitors explore the park with their furry companions!” said Allison Herkey, Lead Interpretive Ranger of San Juan Historical Park. “Pets are a part of our families, and they deserve to enjoy this place with us. Please do so respectfully by following the rules of B.A.R.K.”

Contributed photo Antonio the Capybara