The Tapir Gallery: Focus on the Asian tapir Black, white and vanishing

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The Asian or Malayan tapir (Tapirus indicus) is the species of tapir that lives in the Southeast Asia. The other three live in the Americas. Deprived of much of its former range by logging, war and human habitation, these strikingly-marked animals, built for survival and existing unchanged for millions of years, are now at risk for extinction. The Asian tapir is the largest of the tapir species, reaching about 800 to 900 pounds. The unique "saddle blanket" pattern of white midsection with dark front and rear quarters makes the tapir's outline hard to see in the moonlit shadows of the tropical forest. The Asian tapir has been successfully kept and bred in zoos throughout the world for many years, but even so, there are comparatively few in captivity. Even though many young tapirs have been successfully reared, the 13-month gestation period and single birth means that at best a female tapir may raise about one calf every two years. Nobody knows how many Asian tapirs exist in the wild. They are native to a number of countries in Southeast Asia. See the Action Plan (linked below) to find out where they still exist and where they have become extinct.

Links below marked with a (green arrow) indicate that the page is about or specifically includes Asian tapirs. Other links may contain general information, or information about a habitat area that includes Asian tapir, but where the species is not mentioned.

Description and general information

• About Tapirs
  
• Distribution map
  
• Reprints
  This page in The Tapir Gallery links to online reprints and also tells you where to obtain reprints on paper.
  
• Malayan tapir
  "The Ultimate Ungulate Page: Your Guide to the World's Hoofed Mammal Species." Includes photos and a concise description of the species with range maps, measurements, and more.
  

Pictures

• Pictures of Asian tapirs on the Tapir Gallery Web site
  
• Asian tapir pictures and information on the ARKive Web site
  

Endangered species lists

• Tapirus indicus on the IUCN Red List
  Type the word tapir in the search box and hit the "Enter" key on your keyboard.
  
• Tapirus indicus on the CITES list
  Click on Common name in the database and search for tapir, and you will see all of the species listed.
  

Zoos

• Tapirs in Zoos and Parks
  
• Tapir TAG (Taxon Advisory Group) of the AZA
  

Conservation and research

General/inclusive

• Status and Action Plan of the Malayan Tapir (Tapirus indicus) [IUCN, 1997]
  
• IUCN/SSC Tapir Specialist Group Web Site
  
• Tapirs: Conservation & Ecology
  
• How Can I Help?
  

By country

• Tapir Conservation: Number 7, October 1997
  This is on the Web site of the IUCN/SSC Tapir Specialist Group. Check the Table of Contents and follow the links to Asia. This reference gives numbers of Malayan tapirs in each country, if known.
  

Indonesia

• (I was not able to relocate "The Indonesian Nature Conservation Database." I hope it is still active.
  This site describes national parks, has maps, and is an excellent resource for information on Indonesia's natural wealth. Developed and maintained by Ed Colijn.
  

Malaysia

• The Malaysian Nature Society
  "... to promote the study, appreciation, conservation and protection of the Malaysian Natural Heritage...." See their logo - it's a tapir!