Malaysian tapirs on Japanese soil

In the picture is a Malayan tap son and mother at Tama Zoo outside Tokyo, Japan. He was born on December 12, the first Malaysian tapir born at this zoo.

Malaysian tapirs have the scientific name Tapirus indicus, living in rainforest areas of South America, Central America and Southeast Asia. Although their bodies are bulky, they swim quite well, can soak in water for hours.

At birth, Malayan tapirs are brown with strips and white spots lying along the length of the body. Variegated colors will disappear when they are 6 to 8 months old. After 3 years, they really become mature tapirs.

Malaysian tapirs are becoming increasingly rare because of human activities that destroy their habitats.

T.VY