I think this video posted earlier this month is from the people at the Sungai Dusun Malayan tapir conservation facility. Here's another clip of a tapir enjoying some jackfruit leaves. Apparently they require 10% of their weight in greenery daily (so if a tapir is 300 kg, they need 30 kg of leaves).
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/0cxQdw1tFqM

Big thanks to u/Cool-Professional298 for the heads-up. (The zoo staff suspected that Fifi would be having the baby soon because she was getting so big, but they weren't sure exactly when it would happen.)

Video here:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/MdPOzrBU5PY
https://www.instagram.com/hertfordshirezoo/reel/Dazls39tNYK/

https://hertfordshirezoo.com/news/lowland-tapir-calf-born-at-hertfordshire-zoo/

"Hertfordshire Zoo is delighted to announce the birth of a healthy lowland tapir calf to mum Fifi on Wednesday 8th July.

The arrival marks the first lowland tapir calf to be born at Hertfordshire Zoo in 14 years and is an exciting milestone for the zoo’s conservation breeding programme.

Following a remarkable 430 day pregnancy, Fifi gave birth to a healthy calf, which was standing within just 10 minutes before taking its first all important feed from mum shortly afterwards."

Hello fellow humans and tapir enthusiasts:

CW: brief discussion of animal traps

I read an absolutely gut-wrenching article from Fauna and Flora (British animal welfare charity) about Malayan tapirs and how they get stuck in tiger traps. Because they have poor eyesight, they can't see the traps, and they can't get out of the traps once they activate the horrible things. Rangers are working to stop this, but they need help. One of the lines in the article really stuck out to me:
"If everyone who read this gave just $3, we'd be able to save so many tapirs." It really got me thinking. It didn't feel like a guilt trip; it felt like a call to action. I'm not exactly rolling in the dough, but I can spare $3 to help the tapirs. I try to avoid the bystander effect whenever I can. I don't want to be the person that says "oh somebody else will" because what if I can be the somebody that will?

I don't work for Fauna and Flora. I'm not associated with them at all- I'm just a person who loves tapirs with all their heart. Of course, if you aren't in a position to give, you shouldn't feel bad AT ALL. We all have to live!! Maybe you've already given money to other causes, including tapir charities, and that is fabulous. I just thought I should share this. Thanks for reading. Long live tapirs. 🖤🤍

It's a male -- no name announced yet, but his mom is Coco. It sounds like she had a female calf last year.

https://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/chiapas-zoo-welcomes-newborn-tapir-conservation-win-for-endangered-mammal/

In Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica. Don’t worry, we weren’t this close - I was using a long camera lens. The mum woke up, looked at us, yawned a couple of times and went straight back to sleep. A spider monkey was also watching us. Does anyone know roughly how old the youngster would be?

Sports events are not only remembered for medals or broken records, but also for the symbols that manage to unite an entire nation. In the history of Venezuelan sports, a very special character holds a place of honor in the emotional memory of Yaracuy state: "Danty", the tapir who became the soul of the XII National Youth Sports Games Yaracuy ’97.

Today, we take a trip down memory lane to remember the origin of this regional icon and the crucial role played by the Venezuelan company “Industrias Rotoplast C.A.” in bringing this character from 2D design pages directly into the hands of thousands of people as a wonderful toy.

The Birth of a Regional Symbol.

Held between November 30 and December 14, 1997, the Yaracuy National Games marked a turning point for the region. With the inauguration of a modern sports city and the visit of more than 4,000 athletes from all over the country, the state needed an image to represent its rich natural identity.

Through a public contest, a tapir was chosen as the official mascot and affectionately named "Danty". The choice was no coincidence: the tapir is one of the most relevant and respected members of the local fauna, immediately becoming a reflection of Yaracuy's natural heritage.

Its popularity was such that the National Telephone Company of Venezuela (CANTV) even issued a prepaid phone card featuring its image, reaching an impressive print run of 350,000 copies.

Rotoplast: The Industrial Art of Bringing "Danty" to Life.

Turning a two-dimensional drawing into a 3D toy while preserving the mascot's essence required a great deal of effort. The technical and creative challenge was taken on by Industrias Rotoplast C.A., a leading company in the local manufacturing of Mattel, Inc. brands such as Barbie, Hot Wheels, and He-Man and the Masters of the Universe.

The responsibility for this transformation fell upon a deeply artisanal and technical work executed by Mr. Vitol Zagoziski, a prominent employee of Polish origin with a long and respected career within Rotoplast. Zagoziski sculpted and molded the prototype that would serve as the basis for the mass production of the articulated figure or mascot toy.

As often happens in major creative processes, Danty's development left behind curious anecdotes. It is said that the initial design of the character's footwear caused quite a bit of amusement and laughter among the few workers who were able to observe the first prototype up close at the plant, requiring adjustments before its final approval.

An Invaluable Memory.

Nearly three decades after its official release, "Danty" stands as an invaluable memory of Yaracuy's sports heritage. Thanks to the human talent of industries like Rotoplast, whose memories are preserved today in part through the testimony of former employees like Eliades Pastor Torres, what began as a simple sketch was transformed into a tangible piece of history that some Venezuelans still remember with nostalgia.

Text: Denis Alexander Torres / La Casa del Tapir.

I express my gratitude to Jonathan Alvarez and Eliades Pastor for their efforts in locating a brand-new specimen of "Danty," a piece of priceless historical value due to the scarcity of units preserved today. Similarly, I extend my thanks to Raffaele Acconcia for facilitating the acquisition of a phone card in optimal condition.

What connection could a fearsome pirate possibly have with a peaceful tapir? Though it sounds like a tavern tale, history proves that truth is stranger than fiction.

In the late 17th century, the waters of the Americas were sailed by the English captain William Dampier (1651–1715). But Dampier was no ordinary sailor. Beneath his British privateer's hat lay the brilliant mind of a botanist, an exceptional writer, and a sharp observer of nature.

During his daring voyages through the New World, a mysterious animal sparked his curiosity. Although he never managed to see it face-to-face, destiny led him to follow its tracks with insatiable curiosity. He found its fresh footprints in the untamed Isthmus of Darien in Panama and listened with fascination to the stories of locals in Mexico's Campeche Bay. To piece together the puzzle of this "fantastic" creature, Dampier gathered the testimonies and anecdotes shared by his own colleagues in Honduras.

In his 1705 navigation journals, the pirate christened this being as the "mountain cow," also noting that the Spaniards called it "ante." Intrigued and confused by the animal's true identity, Dampier sent his detailed notes on its physical appearance and habits to a learned zoologist in Holland.

Upon reading Dampier's descriptions, the European scientist was perplexed. Risking a theory, he linked the unknown creature to a hippopotamus, though he admitted it could very well be an entirely new species to the science of the time. This was how Central America's mysterious "mountain cow" ended up immortalized and illustrated in the pages of Dampier's own pirate chronicles with the clear appearance of a hippopotamus.

Though he never knew it, that enigmatic New World creature that so intrigued the pirate was later identified as the Central American tapir (Tapirus bairdii).

Bibliographical References:

DAMPIER, W. 1705. Voyages and descriptions: vol.II. In three parts, viz. I. A supplement of the voyage round the world,... 2. Two voyages to Campeachy;... 3. A discourse of trade-winds, breezes, storms,... By Capt. William Dampier. Illustrated with particular maps and draughts. To which is added, a general index to both volumes. The third edition. London: printed for James Knapton, 1705.

DAMPIER, W. 1709. A continuation of A voyage to New-Holland, &c. in the year 1699: wherein are described, the islands Timor, Rotee and Anabao, a passage between the islands Timor and Anabao, Copang and Laphao bays, the islands Omba, Fetter, Bande and Bird, a descrip.., London: Printed by W. Botham for J. Knapton.

This and other interesting stories about tapirs are included in the book "La Danta en Venezuela: más allá del mito" (The Tapir in Venezuela: Beyond the Myth), written by geographer Denis Alexander Torres and published by Ediciones Pietrix, 2024, in Caracas, Venezuela.

The Spanish version is available here:

https://lacasadeltapir.blogspot.com/2025/06/historias-sobre-tapires-una-danta-pirata.html

"“What surprised me most was discovering that the species most frequently blamed by local people was not the one causing most of the crop interactions,” lead author Manfredo Turcios-Casco said in a press release. 

Despite local rumors, the species most frequently recorded amongst the cassava crops was not the tapir, but the Honduran cottontail rabbit."

This doesn't let tapirs off the hook entirely, for damage to other crops (they've been seen eating corn and bean plants in Belize) -- and there might be circumstances like hunger that might result in them eating the cassava in other situations. But it's fascinating to look at long-held assumptions this way. Scientists and even local residents who've observed environments for a long time aren't guaranteed to be right.

Yesterday, the earth shook with devastating force across our beloved Venezuela. The earthquake did not just shatter infrastructure; it extinguished human lives, fractured homes, and froze thousands of dreams in an instant. Our hearts ache with profound grief. We hold absolute respect and solidarity for every individual, family, and community mourning their loved ones today. The wound is immense, and the reality is heartbreakingly fragile.

In the wake of a tragedy of this magnitude, we paused. With heavy hearts, we questioned whether it made sense to continue our crowdfunding campaign. Yet, in the midst of the chaos, the answer became crystal clear: yes, now more than ever, we must move forward.

The immediate future will demand that we rebuild from the ashes. But this rebuilding cannot just be about bricks and mortar. We must restore the human spirit. Venezuelan children need, more than anyone right now, to hold onto a spark of light and hope. They need to know that tomorrow still belongs to them and that there is a powerful reason to look ahead with optimism.

Our mission has taken on an urgent, vital relevance. This disaster serves as a harsh reminder of our fragile existence and the immense power of our planet. It calls on us to humbly recognize the importance of nature in sustaining life, and our historical responsibility to coexist in harmony with biodiversity. We cannot protect the future of the next generation without healing our relationship with Mother Earth.

In the coming months, the Tapir (la Danta) will become our ultimate symbol of resilience. She will teach us to endure, to adapt, and to stand tall with dignity. We will be deeply proud to share this time, this soil, and this purpose with a species that embodies the silent, unyielding strength of our land.

If you also believe it is worth bringing smiles back to these children, connecting them empathetically with conservation, and planting seeds of life where there is currently pain, we invite you to lend us a hand. Do not let them face the darkness alone.

Be the change. Help us today. You can make your donation directly here: https://fundrazr.com/tapirheroes

--------------------------

Luz en la oscuridad: por qué hoy más que nunca elegimos seguir adelante.

Ayer la tierra se movió con una fuerza devastadora en nuestra amada Venezuela. El terremoto no solo destruyó infraestructuras; apagó vidas humanas, fragmentó hogares y congeló miles de sueños en un instante. Sentimos un dolor profundo en el alma y guardamos un respeto absoluto y solidario hacia cada persona, familia y comunidad que hoy llora a sus seres queridos. La herida es inmensa y el panorama es sumamente delicado.

Ante una tragedia de esta magnitud, nos detuvimos a reflexionar. Nos preguntamos, con el corazón encogido, si tenía sentido continuar con nuestra campaña de crowdfunding. En medio del caos, la respuesta llegó con total claridad: sí, hoy más que nunca tiene sentido seguir adelante.

El futuro cercano nos va a exigir reconstruir desde las cenizas, y esa reconstrucción no puede ser solo de cemento y ladrillo. Necesitamos reconstruir el espíritu de nuestra gente. Los niños venezolanos necesitan, hoy más que nunca, aferrarse a una chispa de luz y esperanza. Necesitan saber que el mañana todavía les pertenece y que hay un motivo para mirar al frente con optimismo.

Nuestra misión cobra una relevancia urgente en este escenario. Este desastre nos recuerda con dureza la fragilidad de nuestra existencia y la inmensa fuerza del planeta. Nos llama a reconocer, con humildad, la importancia de la naturaleza en el sostenimiento de la vida y nuestra responsabilidad histórica de convivir en armonía con la biodiversidad. No podemos cuidar el futuro de las próximas generaciones si no sanamos también nuestra relación con la Madre Tierra.

En los próximos meses, la Danta se convertirá en nuestro mayor símbolo de resiliencia. Ella nos enseñará a resistir, a adaptarnos y a ponernos de pie con dignidad. Nos sentiremos profundamente orgullosos de compartir este tiempo, este suelo y este propósito con una especie que encarna la fuerza silenciosa de nuestra tierra.

Si tú también crees que vale la pena devolverles la sonrisa a los niños, conectarlos empáticamente con la conservación y sembrar vida donde hoy hay dolor, te invitamos a darnos una mano. No los dejemos solos en la oscuridad.

Sé parte del cambio. Ayúdanos hoy. Puedes realizar tu donación directamente aquí: https://fundrazr.com/tapirheroes

La Casa del Tapir

www.lacasadeltapir.blogspot.com

www.andigena.org

Her head is much heavier than it looks, but I let her sleep. I'd rather have a numb leg and give her some love 🤎

Entra aquí para conocer a "Danty": https://lacasadeltapir.blogspot.com/2026/06/la-historia-de-danty-la-inolvidable.html?m=1

The staff have been monitoring her condition. This is a video from earlier this month, where they are measuring her girth. The zoo will likely be posting updates on social media as she gets closer to delivering her calf.

Apparently Fifi is a recent arrival. It looks like she was already pregnant when she came to the zoo, because an ultrasound confirmed this several weeks ago -- I don't think a mate has joined her there yet.
https://hertfordshirezoo.com/news/hertfordshire-zoo-welcomes-lowland-tapir-fifi/
https://hertfordshirezoo.com/news/ultrasound-confirms-resident-tapir-is-pregnant/