Animals
Tapir offspring in the Magdeburg Zoo
A lowland tapir that is only one day old lies in the straw at Magdeburg Zoo. The animal child was born on September 28, 2023. photo
© Klaus-Dietmar Gabbert/dpa
The zoo is now home to another tapir. The boy was born on September 28th. Mother and son are still in the “birthing stable”.
The Magdeburg Zoo is happy to have offspring in the tapir house. On September 28th, the female Mary had a healthy male Tapir was born, the zoo announced on Sunday. The mother and offspring are together in the “birthing pen” which is lined with straw.
The little one may be able to leave the protected environment with his mother at the beginning of the week, explained veterinarian Felix Husemann. When the two behave relaxed in the indoor enclosure, they can also be observed by zoo visitors.
According to information, the zoo has had lowland tapirs in its population for 43 years. Since then there have been 34 births. The zoo is involved in a conservation breeding program for lowland tapirs. The animal is classified as endangered in its South American region of origin, it said. The reasons for the population decline of the animal – which is related to horses – are illegal hunting, loss of habitat and competition from the livestock industry.