Introducing Tobias the baby Tapir

If you watched our TV series last year you would have seen our pleasant surprise at finding out our Lowland Tapir, Tiptap was pregnant!

Tapir are pregnant for 13 months so the baby was a long time coming but on Sunday 11^th April Tobias arrived, a healthy baby boy.

Take a look at when Tobias met Jimmy below:

Tapir are a vulnerable species

The birth of Tapir is even more exciting as Tapir are classed as a vulnerable species by the ICUN.

A loss of habitat is one of the biggest factors affecting Tapir in the wild with not only a loss of habitat but also living in small areas creates tension as they fight for territory.

We support the Lowland Tapir Conservation Initiative who do great work for the research and conservation of this species.

Did you know…

When Tapir are born they have white markings as you can see in the photos. This helps them to camouflage in the wild and evade predators.

By the time they are one year old, they will lose these markings and be grey in colour like Tiptap & Teddy are.

If tapir feel threatened, they will jump in the water, submerge themselves and use their incredible snout as a snorkel.

Tiptap & Teddy both love being in the water and Tiptap will often have a morning bath and one in the evening.

Find out more about Lowland Tapir our mammals and other animals.

Make sure you book your tickets to see this cheeky chap!