Help Name The Minnesota Zoo's New Malayan Tapir Calf

Apple Valley, MN — The Minnesota Zoo is preparing to show off the newest member of its family; a one month-old endangered Malayan tapir (“tay-purr”) calf. The soon-to-be-named female was born on Saturday, Jan. 6 and is making her official public debut Feb. 6.

Zoo guests will be able to see the calf daily starting at 9 a.m. for short periods of time as she adjusts to her new space.

To help celebrate this milestone, the Minnesota Zoo is launching a public naming contest for
the new female calf.

The general public can submit their name suggestions now through Feb. 11.

Zookeepers will select the top three names and the public will have the chance to vote for their favorite, Feb. 13 through Feb. 15. The tapir calf’s official name will be announced on Feb. 16, prior to the Zoo’s annual Tropical Beach Party.

“We are very excited to finally introduce the public to our newest tapir calf,” Tropics Trail curator Tom Ness said in a statement. “It has been fun to watch her and mom bond behind the scenes this past month. She definitely has her own personality and it will be interesting to see all of the name suggestions from our guests.”

Also read: Malayan Tapir Calf Born At Minnesota Zoo: Photos, Video

The new calf is one of 37 tapirs currently in North American zoos. Born at 16 pounds, she has been rapidly growing behind the scenes with her mom and currently weighs approximately 44 pounds, according to a news release.

Because she will only be viewable in the public tapir habitat for limited periods of time, she can be seen via the Minnesota Zoo’s social media channels and a special webcam.

The Malayan tapir's gestation period varies from 390-419 days. Mothers usually give birth every 2-4 years to a single calf (twins are rare).

At birth, a calf weighs approximately 10-20 pounds. For the first 6-8 months of their life, tapir calves resemble furry watermelons with legs.

They are dark brown to black with alternating bands of yellowish-white stripes and spots. Young tapirs grow quickly and can weigh as much as 450 pounds at one year of age; they reach adult size in 2-3 years.

Malayan tapirs are one of the most endangered animals in Southeast Asia; there are less tapirs than tigers in the wild. Their population is declining due to road mortality, habitat loss from deforestation for agricultural purposes, flooding caused by dam building for hydroelectric projects, and illegal trade. People can help wild tapirs by shopping smart for sustainable palm oil.

In human care, Malayan tapirs are managed for breeding purposes by a "Species Survival Plan" which, through the coordinated efforts of several zoos throughout North America, helps maintain a backup gene pool for the future aid of the wild population. The Minnesota Zoo currently participates in many SSP programs, including the Malayan tapir.

Image via Minnesota Zoo