A Tapir Gallery Conservation Profile:
PROYECTO DANTA/
TAPIR PROJECT
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All photos and graphic materials are © Copyright 1999 Fundación AndígenA.
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Pijiguao Inspects Upgrades to the Tapir House"AndígenA" means "made in the Andes." Together AndígenA (a private conservation organization founded by Denis Torres) and the "Chorros de Milla" Park Zoo, both in Merida, Venezuela, are embarked on a campaign to help save the tapirs of Venezuela. They will do this through education. Each year, thousands of people, including tourists and many, many school children, come to visit the zoo. Here they not only get to see the remarkable animals of Venezuela, but they are taught about the animals and their place in the ecosystem of the rain forest. Venezuela has one species of tapir: the lowland tapir.
For a awhile, a lone male named "Pijiguao" represented this species in the Chorros de Milla Zoo, but Pijiguao has a NEW mate! (Read about her arrival following the picture links.) Cooperation among the Chorros de Milla Zoo, AndígenA, and the Tapir Preservation Fund has allowed upgrades to the exhibit and acquisition of the new female. Clean water for the exhibit is supplied to the lake by the Milla River. The Tapir Preservation Fund's Club Tapir program is proud to be helping the zoo carry out its conservation plans for tapirs. Our thanks to Denis Torres of AndígenA for providing the photos and graphics linked below.
These upgrades were made in summer, 2000.
Simona, Part 1 . . . Pictures of the New Tapir on Moving Day
Simona arrived in August, 2000.
Simona, Part 2 . . .
Some browse, a checkup by the veterinarian, and . . . a bath!
Simona, Part 3 . . . Proyecto Danta
Simona, the staffs of Chorros de Milla Park Zoo and Bararida Zoo and Botanical Gardens
(located in Barquisimeto), and AndígenA's President, Denis Torres.
Simona was brought from the Bararida Zoo to Chorros de Milla in August, 2000.
The Tapir Exhibit before Upgrades
This schematic with attached photos was made by Denis Torres of AndígenA.
More Photos
This link will take you to LOTS more photos. These were sent to us by Denis Torres.
Click on the links in the subdirectory to view each picture.
The first file is a footprint; the second is a baby tapir NOT taken at the zoo . . .
all the rest are from the "Chorros de Milla" Park Zoo.
Club Tapir
Support this project by voting for the "Chorros de Milla" Park Zoo through Club Tapir.
On August 28, 2000, Denis Torres wrote to us:
The female tapir arrived just after noon (12:30 p.m.). She slept on the way, because because the trip was very long - about 10 hours by truck.
She comes from Bararida Zoo and Botanical Gardens located in Barquisimeto, capital of Lara State, Venezuela. She is 2 years old, born on July 24, 1998. Her name is "SIMONA," in honor to our national Liberator "SIMÓN BOLÍVAR," who was born on the same date in 1783.
Simona arrived in perfect condition. Immediately, she was transferred to a special area, where she was attended by our veterinarian, Alejandra Leoncides. Simona will be in this holding area until next month, when she will finally join Pijiguao.
As you know, this operation (or dream) has been possible thanks to the strong cooperation established between Fundación AndígenA, Chorros de Milla Park Zoo (Mérida, Venezuela), Bararida Zoo and Botanical Gardens (Barquisimeto, Venezuela), and the Tapir Preservation Fund. Sheryl, we are very grateful for your support and patience during the time of the project. Together we are helping to save the tapirs in Venezuela! During the past few days, we also edited a flier with abundant information about the tapir in Venezuela. Also we have produced some environmental education materials and made an informative board in the park.
Best wishes,
Denis