San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

The San Diego Zoo excitedly welcomed an adorable baby Baird’s tapir this month—bolstering an endangered species that faces multiple challenges in the wild.

The female calf and her mother named Luna can now be seen bonding at the zoo’s elephant compound, sharing space with the capybaras.

Tapir newborns come into the world with patterns that provide excellent camouflage in the wild. In fact, baby tapirs are often left hidden while their mothers forage.

Luna, however, has been grooming and nursing the calf, vocalizing toward her, and keeping her close at all times.

The zoo says the calf is “starting to get the zoomies” and likes to play with leaves and food even if she’s not eating it.

When they grow into adults, tapirs’ coats change to a dark solid color, with a white chest, chin and ear fringes. They play a crucial role in maintaining the biological diversity of tropical forests.

Luna with calf – San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

As essential seed dispersers, they contribute significantly to their ecosystems in Mexico, and Central and South America, by helping fertilize the forest floor. This process promotes the growth of new plants, which in turn provide food and shelter for a variety of other species.

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

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Conservationists needed to protect the species because it was being hunted for sport in Costa Rica and threatened by habitat loss due to farming, cattle grazing, and palm oil and rubber plantations, which ultimately reduces their food supply.

Efforts are underway to protect tapir habitats and promote them as flagship wildlife that could encourage tourism. This approach can create jobs beyond farming and logging and inspire people to help protect this unique animal.

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