Adorable baby tapir makes first outing at animal park in Kent

PA

A five-week-old baby Tapir named Kejutan has made his first appearance at Port Lympne Wild Animal Park near Ashford, Kent.

Little Kejutan - meaning 'surprise' in Malaysian - is the ninth successful tapir birth at the animal park.

PA

He was born with distinctive spots and stripes to mother Lidana and father Hunter, following a gestation time of about 13 months.

Tapirs are forest-dwellers who use their prehensile snouts to browse on leaves, buds, shoots and twigs. They are shy, solitary animals and are active mainly at night.

As of 2008, there were only around 1,500 Malayan tapirs and numbers are falling, according to the Tapir Specialist Group.

PA

They are threatened by the destruction of their rainforest habitat, along with hunting and capture for the live animal trade.

Bob Savill, head hoofstock keeper at Port Lympne, told the Press Association: 'It is a sad fact that the Malayan tapir is in decline in the wild and there are very few in animal collections.

'When Kejutan grows up, he will hopefully go on to breed and help ensure the continuation of these wonderful animals through our captive breeding programme.'

And, until then, you can just admire how cute he is...

Visit aspinallfoundation.org/portlympne for more information and to book tickets.