Hertfordshire Zoo has welcomed a rare male lowland tapir calf, born on July 8. The birth is considered a significant conservation milestone for the species, which is classified as vulnerable in the wild.
The newborn calf, whose distinctive brown coat is covered in white stripes and spots, was on its feet within 10 minutes of birth and successfully took its first feed from its mother, Fifi. Lowland tapirs are born with these markings, which provide camouflage on the forest floor, and they gradually fade as the animals mature. These striking patterns have led to comparisons of the young tapirs to miniature watermelons.
Fifi, the mother, completed a remarkable 430-day pregnancy leading up to the birth.
The lowland tapir is native to the tropical and subtropical regions of South America and Southeast Asia. They are the largest land mammals in South America and play an important role in seed dispersal in their native habitats. The species faces threats from habitat loss and poaching, making conservation efforts like those at Hertfordshire Zoo crucial for their survival.