Tapir Talk Archives

23 December 1997

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    ___  __                   Digest   23 December 1997 - Vol. 1, No. 81
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The Tapir Preservation Fund

The Tapir Gallery: http://www.tapirback.com/tapirgal/
Tapir Talk Archives and Info: http://www.tapirback.com/tapirgal/tt.htm
E-mail: tapir@tapirback.com
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TAPIR TALK   -  23 December 1997   -   Vol. 1, No. 81

Contents of this issue
    1. Better husbandry for pygmy hippos in Jakarta?
    2. Use of tapir parts in traditional medicine




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Date: Tue, 23 Dec 1997 09:49:31 +0100
From: Ronald Lilley 
To: tapir@tapirback.com
Subject: Tapir Talk Digest - 11 December 1997 - Vol. 1, No. 79 -Reply

dear Tapir talk,
Although not about tapirs this concerns a question which some of your
members might be able to help give answers to. It seems that on 3
occasions a captive pygmy hippo gave birth to a single young (calf?) in
the local Ragunan zoo here in Jakarta, but all 3 died soon after birth. The
last one may have been attacked by a large wild monitor lizard - these
lizards do run around in the zoo, and are notorious scavengers.
Whatever, I gather that the keepers badly need more information on the
correct husbandry & CB  of pygmy hippos (and then probably some
funds and expertise to actually do it). Would it be possible for you to
circulate this to someone who can send us mre info? Again, sorry for
going through this channel, but I have been out of the zoo business too
long to know who to contact.
Next time I hope to send you something more tapir - related, perhaps from
Sumatra. Oh yes a final question - is there any evidence that tapirs or
parts thereof are used in traditional medicine?? There may be a hidden
trade issue here for me to follow up.
many thanks,

Ron Lilley,
Species Conservation Officer, WWF Indonesia Programme

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Hello Ron,

My information on use of tapir parts in traditional medicine is for the
American species. It probably wouldn't translate directly to problems in
Southeast Asia, but it might be useful. With the mountain tapir in Ecuador,
the snouts and hooves are especially prized for curing epilepsy and heart
ailments. I believe I remember Craig Downer saying that mountain tapir
stomachs cooked into a stew for strengthening overall constitution.

I have read in one source - and it wasn't a first-hand source, I don't think
- that stones from the stomachs of Brazilian tapirs, and also their hooves,
were strung as pendants for good luck charms or protection against evil. I'm
not sure which part of South America this was from.

I'd be very interested in hearing what other people know about this topic.

Sheryl

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Sheryl Todd  ~  The Tapir Gallery  ~  Tapir Preservation Fund    
http://www.tapirback.com/tapirgal/        tapir@tapirback.com 
Tapir Talk info & archives: http://www.tapirback.com/tapirgal/tt.htm
Deputy Chair, IUCN/SSC Tapir Specialist Group
Co-Editor, IUCN/SSC TSG Newsletter
TSG Newsletter: http://www.tapirback.com/tapirgal/iucn-ssc/tsg/
P.O. Box 1432, Palisade, CO 81526 USA    Fax (970) 464-0377
"Promoting the Welfare of Tapirs Everywhere"
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