The Tapir Gallery

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December 11, 1997
TSG NEWSLETTER ONLINE
Most of the news I've collected over the last few months can be found here.


September 23, 1997
MOUNTAIN TAPIR BORN AT LOS ANGELES ZOO
"And then there were six," reports zoo visitor and tapir fan Chris Anderson of Pasadena, California. The baby was born to 8-year-old Midori and 14-year-old Emmitt, according to a news release put out by the zoo. The infant, a female, arrived August 8, 1997, and is doing well. She hasn't been named yet, but when the little one was about two weeks old, keepers introduced the father into the family group. He got along well with mother and baby, and Chris Anderson described the family scene on September 15: "She's now a little bigger than a cocker spaniel, light brown with white stripes . . . and is just a joy to watch. Yesterday, I watched as she explored her father's ears." Mike Dee, Curator of Mammals at Los Angeles, had just started vacation when the tapir was born. Zoo personnel phoned in a panic, worried because she seemed very thin. Having experienced 22 previous mountain tapir babies, Mike explained that this species is always born thinner than other tapirs. "If she's nursing, leave her alone," he said. They did, and he returned from vacation to find a healthy and growing addition to the tiny population of mountain tapirs in captivity. This birth raises the total to six (see notice of June 9, below).


June 9, 1997
MOUNTAIN TAPIRS: FUNDRAISING AND A LOSS
Read an interview with a 9th grade Biology class in Bogota, Colombia. They put on a bake sale, had some fun, and raised $125.00 to send to Ecuador for conservation of this species. Conservation of mountain tapirs in the wild is vitally important. There are only five left in the world's zoos (two at Los Angeles, three at Colorado Springs), and no viable breeding program is possible. They are too few and too inbred. On January 29, 1997, the last mountain tapir in Europe died. She had lived at the Wilhelma Zoo in Stuttgart, Germany, for 27 years, 8 months and 21 days. This is the record for her species in captivity. The zoo reports..."Anja was very tame and friendly and we really miss her."


April 28, 1997
NEWS FROM LONDON ZOO
Sarah Christie, Conservation Programmes Co-ordinator at the London Zoo, has sent updates on both the tapirs and zoo. We reported on March 17 that the male of the pair of Malayan tapirs had died. He died of "colonic" or rectal prolapse, a condition that may have become less prevalent, but still does plague captive tapirs. "Despite attention from the Newmarket racing thoroughbred vets, the best in the country, he died after several operations." This valuable animal (male Malayan tapirs are at a premium in Europe) had been sent from Berlin. A second young male was quickly found in Dortmund, Germany, and is adjusting well to new quarters in London, although he is still too young for breeding. The female, coming from Twycross Zoo in England a year or so ago, is also doing well. These tapirs, part of the EEP ("Europäische Erhaltungszuchtprogramm," or European Conservation Breeding Program) are the first tapirs the London Zoo has had in nine years.

When I mentioned having visited the zoo many years ago, Sarah explained: "The tapir paddock looks different now. It's twice the size, still with a moat (steps on the paddock side) all the way round and has been furnished with grasses, trees, rocks, visual barriers in the form of rows of thick wooden posts and a shelter. We can't knock down or seriously modify any of the ungulate block buildings, or the moats, because of the building regulations and architectural heritage interest groups that surround us, but it has been possible to improve things a great deal by drastically cutting the number of species kept, combining paddocks, closing the indoor houses to the public and turning most of the inside dens over to storage." I've heard from other sources that the zoo is now looking extremely healthy and well maintained. Next week, a unique mixed-species exhibit will be opened, helping to mark the rebirth of the zoo. It will include sloth bears, hanuman langurs, Reeve's muntjac and peafowl. This may be the largest urban bear exhibit in the world.


March 19, 1997
PUBLICATION NOTICE: TAPIR GENETICS STUDY
The most complete study on tapir genetics published to date has just come off the press. It has some surprising conclusions. The citation is:

Ashley, M. V., J. E. Norman and L. Stross. 1996. Phylogenetic analysis of the Perissodactylan family tapiridae using mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase (COII) sequences. Journal of Mammalian Evolution 3(4):315-326.

A limited number of reprints should be available from the Tapir Preservation Fund soon.

I also want to add my "two cents" or more and say that studies in tapir genetics are only at the threshold. There is SO much more that needs to be done, and I personally believe the work to be urgent if breeding programs are to go forward as they should. There are so many unanswered questions, and DNA studies will help resolve at least some of the unknowns. For instance, there is no consensus on what subspecies might exist, how you can tell a subspecies from a regional variation (or what regional variations exist, for that matter). Some Brazilian tapirs I've seen apparently have characteristics that are essentially those of the Baird's tapir, while other Brazilian tapirs don't have these. Why is this? Further, at least two species of tapir have been known to hybridize. Are these hybrid tapirs mixed into the breeding pool? How would we know?

Early records were not as meticulously kept as perhaps they should have been, and many have even been lost, thrown away or destroyed by the World Wars that devastated such places as Europe, where tapirs have been bred for decades. It's extremely rare that any zoo knows where its founding bloodline tapirs originated other than a general country name or even a region name, such as "Central America," or "South America." These are only some of the most obvious reasons I feel that DNA work is a must.

The research done by Dr. Ashley and her colleagues is a beginning, but funding needs to be found for it to continue. Studies on tapirs are not high on many priority lists. Conservation breeding specialists are beginning to call for genetic studies on tapirs, but nothing is actually in the works to date as far as I know. If you can suggest a source or possible source of funding for genetic research on tapirs, please let us know.


March 17, 1997
BREEDING POTENTIAL UPDATE
From London, I've received news that the male of the pair of Malayan tapirs at Regents Park Zoo in that city died last year, leaving a female of breeding age with no mate. At this time I have no details on how the male died or when a new partner might be obtained for the female. The pair was part of a European breeding program.

Brighter news comes from Adelaide, South Australia, that their zoo has been selected as home for a male Malayan tapir named Sulong. Once he is settled in, they expect to obtain a female. Their excellent breeding record with Brazilian tapirs has made that zoo a choice for attempting to breed the rarer Malayan tapirs.


March 2, 1997
SAD NEWS/GOOD NEWS FROM SAN FRANCISCO ZOO
Kate Wilson, one of the world's all-time enthusiastic tapir fans, wrote:

Sad news/good news about the Tapir in the San Francisco Zoo:

The old tapir died a couple of weeks ago. I had gone regularly to the zoo all summer, and had always stopped by his area -- the capybara pen by the rhinos -- but I never saw him because he wouldn't leave his heated barn. Today on my first return trip since July I asked a very nice zooployee named Amy about the tapir, and when she said he'd died, I must have looked absolutely stricken, because she added hastily, "He was very old, and very tired, and he'd sired several offspring, so he'd done what tapirs do."

(May we all have such an epitaph, and a heated barn, and people who won't make us leave it.)

But Amy gave some excellent news too: exit tapir, enter tapir (she added, "And this one is even bigger"). The LA Zoo has delivered to the SF Zoo one male Baird's tapir, probably one of the breeding pool's excess of male Baird's tapirs, but welcome to all right-thinking people. As I write this, March 1st, he is not yet out of quarantine; he is due to emerge on Wednesday, March 5th. He will be installed in his predecessor's place in the capybara pen by the rhinos, and since the rhinos have just had a baby that nurses and chews straw and ambles to and fro satisfactorily, welcomes and greetings are due all around.

Thanks, Kate, The Tapir Gallery appreciates your news. If we find out more, we'll post it. !


February 26, 1997
HABITAT DESTRUCTION IN VENEZUELA
With information and help from ecologist and tapir researcher in the field, Leonardo Salas, I've put together a page describing some problems that will cause serious damage to tapirs and other living things. Please visit this page. When we find out what can be done to help, we'll let you know.

UPDATE: The Audubon Society of Venezuela has been working on this problem. They can be contacted at:

Sociedad Conservacionista Audubon de Venezuela
Apartado N 80 450
Caracas 1080 A
phone: 91.38.13


February 21, 1997
BAIRD'S TAPIR PROJECT CONTINUES
Yesterday Charles Foerster returned to Costa Rica to continue working with his collared Baird's tapirs. His immediate goal at Sirenia Research Station in Corcovado National Park is to capture and recollar the five tapirs he's been working with. Batteries in the collars used for the radio telemetry run out and need replacing periodically. He will also be making preparations for July, at which time his study will expand from five collared tapirs to 25. Having the ability to track this many animals will give access to an unprecedented amount of field data on this species. Foerster, who is earning his Masters degree in Wildlife Management at the Universidad Nacional in Costa Rica, will focus on the following:

• Home range size/seasonal variability
• Activity patterns
• Habitat use
• Diet/foraging behavior

In September, 1966, he returned to the U.S. from a 12-month intensive study using the five collared animals. To my knowledge, this is the second time Baird's tapirs have been collared for a study. The first was in 1981 when K.D. Williams collared three tapirs in northwest Costa Rica for his PhD. study. Willims has since gone on to study Malayan tapirs.

Although the Baird's was the first tapir to be described in early literature and mentioned in the anecdotes of European explorers, it was the last to be given a scientific name (Tapirus bairdii), and the last to gain the attention of serious naturalists. In the 1960s and '70s, and perhaps even later, it was not uncommon to read something like, "Nothing much is known about the Baird's tapir in the wild." Foerster's findings will be eagerly awaited. We look forward to hearing more about his work.


February 19, 1997
TAPIRS IN LIFE MAGAZINE
As Dave Barry says, "an alert reader" informed me that tapirs are part of the feature story in Life magazine's March issue. The story, "Miracle Babies," by Charles Hirshberg with photos by James Balog, is about the Species Survival Plan, a program created and implemented by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA). On page 42 of Life, there is a photo of Chantek, a female Malayan tapir at the San Diego Zoo, and her young daughter, Istana. They represent one of the many species which are currently NOT included in a Species Survival Plan, but should be. According to this article, SSPs are being organized for both the Malayan and Baird's tapirs, but have not been completed. They take time, money, and a wealth of human resources to create. All endangered animals will not be lucky enough to belong to an SSP. This article brings up some interesting and often disturbing points about choices that must be made in conservation of species and the planet.
February 4, 1997
WHAT DO YOU DO WITH "EXTRA" TAPIRS?
Maybe more to the point, how can tapirs be "extra" when they're endangered? At least in captivity, more male Baird's tapirs are born and survive than females. So, what do you do with the "leftover" males? I learned from Zoo Director Everett Harris that through a loan, the Hattiesburg Zoo in Mississippi has recently acquired one of these surplus male Baird's tapirs. He told me also, they're looking forward to obtaining a second one. Jasper, who was born April 14, 1994, at the zoo in New Orleans, will be part of the South America exhibit which will be constructed at Hattiesburg in the near future.

I first learned about Jasper's move to Mississippi from a visitor to The Tapir Gallery. She wrote me that she had made friends with Jasper and "he smiles and hiccups at me." ("Hiccup" is a great word for some of the noises a tapir makes, by the way!) My writer didn't say how old she was, but something I've noticed is that often adults will tell me that adult tapirs are "ugly," and pay them no further attention, while kids (and some of us that are a bit older than that) gravitate to tapirs and love them! I expect Jasper and his future companions - although not able to contribute to conservation through breeding - will help teach people how charming a tapir can be, will help boost awareness of these animals, and help develop an appreciation for them among the zoo-going public. So, Jasper, here's a warm salute to you from The Tapir Gallery! We hope you'll be very happy in your new home.


January 13, 1997
115 YEARS AGO TODAY IN LONDON ILLUSTRATED
I'm informed by Carol Reid, one of the wonderful tapir fans I've met via the Internet, that "115 years ago today (January 13, 1882) the first captive birth in Great Britain [or in Europe] of a tapir . . . took place." The female was was described as "an ordinary Tapirus americanus" (Brazilian tapir) and her mate "an Andean tapir." [ footnote] The parent tapirs were both brought to England in the 1870's. The birth took place at Regents Park Zoo in London. The zoo "had tapirs from 1882 until a few years ago when the zoo found itself with financial problems. (With the help of a generous donation from the Emir of Kuwait, the zoo is back on its feet and thriving). At the time of the problems, their resident tapirs were Bertie and Eva, proud parents of offspring in 8 different zoos. A new home was found for them with Lord McAlpine, former treasurer of the Conservative Party in England . . . and now they reside in retirement at Hendley-upon-Thames in a private zoo. According to their keeper at Regents Park, Bertie and Eva were going to a tapir paradise, large grassy compound, with a small lake and other animals to play with. According to our sources the zoo has recently acquired a pair of Malaysian tapirs for the enjoyment and education of their visiting public."

FOOTNOTE: This male tapir was thought by P.L. Sclater to be a mountain tapir, based on descriptions in the literature. Apparently its location of capture was unknown. Since so few New World tapirs had ever been seen on the other side of the Atlantic, almost no one had any personal experience in identifying them. When this tapir died on June 2, 1884, its skull was examined by Sclater, who reported it to be a dark variety of Tapirus americanus, the same species as the female. References to Sclater's writings will appear in the online Tapir Bibliography when the update is completed. [return to text]


January 6, 1997
MOUNTAIN TAPIR CONSERVATION
Aided by the Tapir Preservation Fund and a grant from a private party in England, Craig C. Downer is currently in Ecuador. At least two of his radio-collared mountain tapirs - Dolores and Illusion - are still alive, their collars continuing to emit signals used for tracking. These two inhabit the La Playa vicinity of Sangay National Park, at the foot of the Sangay Volcano. Craig spent about a week in this area, saying, "We had two gorgeous days of clear weather in which the Sangay and the El Altar volcanoes were clear as a bell." Much of the time, the damp cloud forest is enshrouded in - yes - clouds and fog.

While Dolores and Illusion were found to be safe, there was evidence of poaching in the National Park, described by Craig and his temporary travelling companion, Dr. Terry H. Bassett. Craig has been giving talks to local organizations about the need to conserve this and other species in the area, and the need to halt ongoing habitat destruction.

One of Craig's projects is to encourage local artisans to create products that can be sold around the world to benefit the artisans, the environment and the conservation work. Yesterday morning I was informed that the first of these products were completed and on their way to the U.S. They will be featured in The Tapir Gallery Gift Shop as well as other outlets. We'll let you know when they arrive!

You can learn more about Craig Downer and his Andean tapir project here.


Watch this space . . .

. . . for news about tapirs around the world. If you have something you would like to contribute regarding these animals, please e-mail the editor. Our intention is to publish articles, interviews and updates about tapirs in captivity and in the wild. Topics might include but are not limited to:

• Recent births
• Publication notices
• Notes on field research
• Conservation efforts
• Interviews
• "Tapir trivia"