Rare Malayan Tapir born at Port Lympne
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A rare Malayan tapir has been born
at Port Lympne animal park. Picture: The Aspinall Foundation/David
Rolfe
by Thom Morris
tmorris@thekmgroup.co.uk
A rare Malayan tapir has been
born at Port Lympne – the animal park’s tenth successful birth of
its kind.
The young male, named Manado, was born
to mother Malacca and father Hunter.
The first tapir birth in captivity
happened in 1989 and now Port Lympne’s tapir house is home for
Manado and Kejutan, who was born four months ago to his mum
Lidaeng.
Hoofstock keeper Bob Savill said:
"This is Malacca’s first calf and mother and baby are both doing
well. This birth is fantastic news not only for the future of
tapirs but for our hoofstock keepers too - it is very special that
we have two babies in the same house, at the same time.
"We are confident that he will be very
popular and visitors will be able to visit him during February half
term."
Malayan tapirs are born after a 13
month pregnancy. Malayan tapirs are endangered in the wild because
of the destruction of rainforests to make way for palm oil
plantations and from increased hunting.
Thursday, January 26 2012
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