Govind Tekale
A baby Malayan tapir, born at Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma on February 2, 2025, is helping preserve an animal species that maintains forest diversity in Asia. The birth marks just the second time in the zoo’s 120-year history that a tapir has been born there.
The baby, which looks like a tiny watermelon with legs due to its spotted pattern, weighs about 20 pounds – quite small compared to its parents. Its mother Yuna weighs 900 pounds, while father Baku tips the scales at 800 pounds. Both parents are 10 years old.
“We’re thrilled to witness this incredible moment and watch the calf grow,” says zoo curator Telena Welsh. This successful birth is particularly important since these forest-dwelling animals are becoming increasingly rare in the wild, where only 3,000 to 4,500 remain.
The birth required careful planning. Tapirs carry their babies for 13 to 14 months before giving birth – longer than humans. The zoo paired Yuna and Baku through a special breeding program that helps ensure healthy babies and prevent inbreeding among zoo animals.
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Head Veterinarian Dr. Karen Wolf reports both mother and baby are healthy. The baby will stay behind the scenes with its mother for now, nursing for about six months and staying with its mother for 12 to 18 months. This extended time with the mother is crucial for the calf’s development.
In their native Southeast Asian forests, tapirs play a crucial role in their ecosystems. They help maintain forest diversity by dispersing seeds as they move through their habitat. However, these gentle herbivores are losing their homes as deforestation and human development continue to expand.
The zoo plans to announce whether the baby is male or female in coming weeks, along with its name. Visitors will need to wait until spring to see the new arrival. By then, its watermelon-like spotted pattern, which helps it blend into its surroundings, will start changing to the black-and-white coloring adult tapirs are known for.
