Malayan tapir
I.U.C.N status
International Union for Conservation of Nature
Identity card
Leaves, bark, grass, fruits, buds...
Did you know?
The Malayan tapir, a solitary and nocturnal animal, always lives near water, which is essential to its survival and reproduction. It spends more than 12 hours a day resting. At birth, its brown coat with white stripes provides camouflage, before turning black and white around 8 months, allowing it to mimic rocks and blend into shaded environments. Its small trunk is used to grab leaves, fruits and branches.
Threats and conservation
The wild population of Malayan tapirs is now estimated at fewer than 2,500 individuals, largely due to deforestation for palm oil and paper pulp production, as well as illegal hunting. Conservation programmes, such as the Malayan Tapir Conservation Action Plan and the Malay Tapir Conservation Project, aim to protect the species.
