TAMPA, Fla. — An endangered Malayan tapir calf was born at ZooTampa earlier this week.
Its 18-year-old mother, Ubi, was pregnant for 13 months before giving birth during the overnight hours between Monday and Tuesday, according to a news release from the zoo.
The unnamed calf has a distinctive coat with spots and stripes, but it will change over the next six months to look like its mom and dad, named Albert. The animal is related to the horse and the rhinoceros, the zoo explained.
Ubi and Albert were paired as part of the Species Survival Plan, which aims to ensure the survival of protected, threatened and endangered species. Malayan tapirs are listed as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
There are only about 2,500 of them scattered in Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand and the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Their population is decreasing because of large-scale deforestation and hunting. Large pieces of their habitats are being converted to palm oil plantations and hunters look towards tapir as a food source, according to the union.
One important way people can help tapirs is by purchasing items made from sustainably sourced palm oil, ZooTampa said in the release.
“The birth of this healthy calf is another wonderful example of the Zoo’s commitment to the conservation of endangered species,” Chris Massaro, Senior VP, Zoological Operations, said. “Malayan tapirs are endangered, and any addition is a significant conservation achievement. Our goal is that when guests see these amazing animals that they will connect with them in ways that inspire action to save the world’s endangered wildlife.”
