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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