MIAMI – Zoo Miami is celebrating the birth of an endangered Malayan tapir, marking the first successful birth of the species at the zoo in 18 years, Communications Director Ron Magill confirmed Tuesday.
Magill said the calf was born on Sept. 16 after a 13-month gestation period.
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The mother, an 8-year-old tapir named Tengi, came to Zoo Miami from Zoo Tampa and this is her first viable offspring, according to a Zoo Miami press release. She had a stillborn calf in 2022 and the father, Kazu, a 12-year-old tapir from Point Defiance Zoo, is also a first-time parent.
Malayan tapirs, which can weigh up to 800 pounds, are the largest of the four tapir species and the only one native to the Eastern Hemisphere, the news release stated.
Magil said Malayan tapirs are typically found in tropical forests across Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, where they use their prehensile snouts to forage for leaves, twigs and fruits.
He also said they are excellent swimmers and often use their snouts as snorkels.
According to Magill, the Malayan tapir is endangered, mainly due to habitat loss from deforestation and palm oil plantations, as well as hunting in some regions.
A neonatal exam was conducted by Zoo Miami’s Animal Health team, confirming the male calf weighed 18.5 pounds and is in good health, the Zoo said.
His birth was part of the Species Survival Plan managed by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which Magill said aims to maintain genetic diversity in endangered species.
He also confirmed that both the mother and calf will remain off public display for an undetermined period to allow for bonding without distractions.