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Europe's oldest Malayan tapir celebrates birthday at Port Lympne near Hythe

Europe's oldest Malayan tapir is celebrating his 39th birthday at a Kent wild animal park.

Kingut, who lives at Port Lympne near Hythe, has outlasted most others who, according to keepers, only normally live to the age of 12.

Birthday boy Kingut enjoys his cake
Birthday boy Kingut enjoys his cake

As he celebrates his birthday with apples, bananas and carrots, Joel Bunce, the park's head of hoofstock section, said: "He loves being the centre of attention.

VIDEO: Kingut the Malayan tapir turns 39

"We will be making an extra special fuss of him and I'm sure he will love his cake."

Kingut was born in captivity at Ragunan Zoo in Indonesia in 1978, before being moved to Howletts, near Canterbury, in 1992. He arrived at Port Lympne nine years ago.

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