The Minnesota Zoo’s Malayan tapir calf, born July 30, is thriving! Born to “Bertie” after a 13+ month gestation, the calf has been practicing his swimming techniques behind the scenes, eating well, and getting used to his new exhibit from 9-11 a.m. daily.

Although he is not yet named (see naming contest information below!), his birth – similar to calf Aamirah’s birth in 2013 – is important. He is the second tapir born at the Zoo in 22 years, and the 37^th in North America – a big deal when there are less than 2,000 in the wild. As one of the most endangered animals in Southeast Asia,  their population is declining due to habitat loss from  deforestation for agricultural purposes, flooding caused by dam building for hydroelectric projects, and illegal trade.

In human care, Malayan tapirs are managed for breeding purposes by a Species Survival Plan® (SSP), which, through the coordinated efforts of several zoos throughout the United States, helps maintain the captive gene pool for the future aid of the wild population. The Minnesota Zoo currently participates in many SSP programs, including the Malayan tapir.

Malayan tapirs usually give birth every 2-4 years to a single calf (twins are rare). At birth, a calf weighs approximately 10-20 pounds. For the first 6-8 months of their life, tapir calves resemble furry watermelons with legs: they are dark brown to black with alternating bands of yellowish-white stripes and spots. Young tapirs grow quickly and can weigh as much as 450 pounds at one year of age; they reach adult size in 2-3 years.

The Minnesota Zoo and KARE 11 are cosponsoring a naming contest for the calf. Interested in submitting a name? Visit mnzoo.org for more details. The deadline for submitting names is 4 p.m. on August 28; the winning name will be announced on September 3.