Rare Malayan tapir born at Edinburgh Zoo
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland has released the first pictures of a rare Malayan tapir born at Edinburgh Zoo.
The male calf, which has not yet been named, was born to mother Sayang and father Mowgli on January 31.
He is the eighth tapir calf to arrive at the zoo since 2007.
Endangered tapir born at Edinburgh Zoo
We’ve got just the thing to brighten up this wet and windy Friday…Say hello to our adorable new arrival! This endangered Malayan tapir was born to mum Sayang and dad Mogli last week. While he is sticking close to mum for now, he will soon find his feet and start to follow her outside.https://www.edinburghzoo.org.uk/news/article/15339/endangered-tapir-born-at-edinburgh-zoo/?utm_source=social&utm_medium=facebook_ez&utm_campaign=social_rzss_2019&utm_content=ez_news #FridayFeelings
Posted by Edinburgh Zoo on Friday, February 8, 2019
Malayan tapirs are considered an endangered species with a European conservation breeding programme helping protect them from extinction.
The brown and white fur helps provide camouflage for baby tapirs in their natural rainforest habitats, developing to black and white after a few months.
An online poll has been set up to help decide a name for the zoo’s new arrival.
Suggestions include Penang, Haruun, Bintang, Megat, Amal and Bernam – all of which have a Malayan connection.
Jonny Appleyard, team leader for hoofstock at Edinburgh Zoo, said: “Malayan tapir populations in the wild are continuing to decline, so all births are incredibly valuable to the breeding programme and we’re really excited about our latest arrival.
“At the moment he is staying very close to mum Sayang but will soon find his feet and start to follow her outside.”
Voting on the tapir’s name closes on Tuesday.
