Malayan Tapir Calf Born At Minnesota Zoo: Photos, Video

APPLE VALLEY, MN — The Minnesota Zoo has announced the birth of an endangered Malayan tapir calf. The yet-to-be-named female was born at approximately 5:45 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 6 after about a 400 day gestation period; both the calf and mom “Bertie” are doing well. This is the Minnesota Zoo’s third tapir birth in six years.

The new calf is the 37th tapir in North America. Born at 16 pounds, she is busy bonding with her mom.

According to the zoo, 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 eight 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 about two years.

"We are very excited to welcome this new tapir to the Minnesota Zoo," Tropics Trail curator Tom Ness said in a statement. "Malayan tapirs are endangered and this birth is a significant conservation achievement, as it’s estimated that fewer than 1,500 exist in the wild. The recent success we’ve had with tapir births over the past six years is an example of the incredible care our zookeeper and veterinary teams provides our animals."

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 habitat loss from deforestation for agricultural purposes, flooding caused by dam building for hydroelectric projects, and illegal trade, according to the zoo.

In human care, Malayan tapirs are managed for breeding purposes 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, according to a news release.

Until she goes into the public tapir habitat along the zoo's "Tropics Trail," the Malayan tapir can be seen via the Minnesota Zoo’s special webcam.

Images and video via Minnesota Zoo