Activities Report 1999 Sept Newsletter
Tapir should be released into the wild
The Malaysian Nature Society is glad that
the fishermen, who found the tapir swimming in the Straits of Malacca,
called in the Wildlife Department to assist the animal. Their act of consideration
for this unique animal is to be admired. MNS would like to take this opportunity
to commend the three fishermen for their act of responsibility.
The Society would like to suggest that
the tapir is rehabilitated and transferred to a forest or wildlife reserve,
like Taman Negara or Endau-Rompin, and not to a zoo. This would enable
the animal to continue its life normally. Keeping the animal in a confined
environment would only deprive the animal of a normal life.
The Society hopes that the Wildlife
Department considers the suggestion, as this animal is not only uniquely
Malaysian, it is also an endangered animal. The Society will be sending
its officers to offer assistance where required.
The Malayan Tapir or Tapirus indicus
is one of four species found in the world. The other three are endemic
to the South American forests. The Malayan Tapir however is endemic to
Peninsular Malaysia. It stands at one meter at the shoulder and is very
vulnerable, often living in undisturbed forests. They are seldom seen,
but their three-toed footprints are often encountered by rivers and muddy
jungle paths.
It is a very curious animal with a nose
that protrudes into a short trunk overhanging the mouth. The foreparts
and the hind legs of the adult are black, while the rest are white. This
coloration helps in camouflaging the animal in the forest. The young are
brown all over with numerous tawny spots and streaks that simulate the
effect of the sun-dappled leaves of the jungle floor.
The tapir is a good swimmer and may
swim a considerable distance to get a way from predators or to find a new
home, as most probably is in the case of the tapir caught by the fishermen.
Kuala Lumpur 29 June, 1999
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Created on 3rd Sept 1999