North American Malayan Tapir Population

Valentinoamor

Valentinoamor

Well-Known Member
5+ year member
North American Malayan Tapir Population​

This document keeps a record of all births, deaths, locations, and transfers of all Malayan Tapirs in North America. This document will be constantly updated to make sure that the information provided is as accurate as possible. Feel free to leave any new information in the comments of this thread.​

The facilities are organized by country, then in alphabetical order by the name of the facility. The individuals were organized by age.


Total Facilities with Malayan Tapir: 18; 2 Canada, 16 United States

Total Amount of Individuals: 37 (18.17.2); 1.1 Canada, 17.16.2 United States


1.0, Rimba - born in Singapore
0.1, Annie
1.0, Tengahari - 2016 - Unknown x Unknown
0.1, Indah - January 6, 2018 - Jon-Hi x Bertie
1.0, Ketawa - July 30, 2015 - Jon-Hi x Bertie
0.1, Umi - May 2017 - Benny x Rinny
1.0, Tembikai - 2010



CANADA

African Lion Safari - Ontario, Canada - 0.1.0
0.1, Unknown

Parc Safari - Quebec, Canada - 1.0.0
1.0, Tanuck


UNITED STATES

Bronx Zoo - Bronx, New York - 0.1.1
0.1, Cinta - March 16, 2003
0.0, Kris


Denver Zoo - Denver, Colorado - 1.1.0
1.0, Benny - January 232006
0.1, Rinny - July 3, 2007


Ellen Trout Zoo - Lufkin, Texas - 1.1.0
0.1, Tembikai - August 4, 2015 - Dumadi x Malaca
1.0, Cole


El Paso Zoo - El Paso, Texas - 1.1.0
1.0, LaRue
0.1, Bailey


Louisville Zoo - Louisville, Kentucky - 1.1.0
0.1, Sarah - August 29, 1994
1.0, Chip - January 4, 1995


Minnesota Zoo - Apple Valley, Minnesota - 2.1.0
0.1, Bertie
1.0, Jon-Hi - December 6, 2009 - Unknown x Knobbie
1.0, Tuah - August 8, 2020 - Jon-Hi x Bertie


Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo - Omaha, Nebraska - 1.2.0
1.0, Dumadi - 2012 - Benny x Rinny
0.1, Malacca - 2013
0.1, Sariah - August 31, 2018 - Dumadi x Malacca


Point Defiance Zoo - Tacoma, Washington - 2.1.0
1.0, Baku - April 29, 2014 - Benny x Rinny
0.1, Yuna
1.0, Kazu - July 2019 - Baku x Yuna


Riverbanks Zoo - Columbia, South Carolina - 0.1.0
0.1, Daniella - July 1996
1.0, Pulau - 1996 - Deceased?


San Antonio Zoo - San Antonio, Texas - 1.0.0
1.0, Kruze - 1991


San Diego Zoo - San Diego, California - 1.1.1
0.1, Amirah
1.0, March Calf’s Father
0.0, Unnamed - March 16, 2021 - Unknown x Amirah


Sedgwick County Zoo - Sedgwick County, Kansas - 0.1.0
0.1, Amirah - July 20, 2013 - Jon-Hi x Bertie


Virginia Zoo - Norfolk, Virginia - 2.1.0
0.1, Haddie - 2009
1.0, Rosco - October 10, 2015
1.0, Luther - January 20, 2020 - Rosco x Haddie


Woodland Park Zoo - Seattle, Washington - 1.2.0
1.0, Bintang - 2000
0.1, Ulan - January 1, 2012 - Unknown x Umi
0.1, Sempurna - June 10, 2020 - Bintang x Ulan


Zoo Miami - Miami, Florida - 1.0.0
1.0, Gabe - 1997


ZooTampa - Tampa, Florida - 2.1.0
0.1, Ubi - April 6, 2005
1.0, Albert - <2013
1.0, Tiga - December 17, 2018 - Albert x Ubi
 
nczoofan said:
Seems like there are gonna be plenty of calves to rehome in the coming years. It’ll be interesting to see where they get placed and if new institutions come online.
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Male Tengahari, Indah, Ketawa, and Umi are young animals as well. I'm not sure where they went, but I'm thinking they may have possibly been sent to European facilities, as some of the animals in the United States are from European stock.
 
EsserWarrior said:
North American Malayan Tapir Population​

This document keeps a record of all births, deaths, locations, and transfers of all Malayan Tapirs in North America. This document will be constantly updated to make sure that the information provided is as accurate as possible. Feel free to leave any new information in the comments of this thread.​

The facilities are organized by country, then in alphabetical order by the name of the facility. The individuals were organized by age.


Total Facilities with Malayan Tapir: 18; 2 Canada, 16 United States

Total Amount of Individuals: 37 (18.17.2); 1.1 Canada, 17.16.2 United States


1.0, Rimba - born in Singapore
0.1, Annie
1.0, Tengahari - 2016 - Unknown x Unknown
0.1, Indah - January 6, 2018 - Jon-Hi x Bertie
1.0, Ketawa - July 30, 2015 - Jon-Hi x Bertie
0.1, Umi - May 2017 - Benny x Rinny
1.0, Tembikai - 2010



CANADA

African Lion Safari - Ontario, Canada - 0.1.0
0.1, Unknown

Parc Safari - Quebec, Canada - 1.0.0
1.0, Tanuck


UNITED STATES

Bronx Zoo - Bronx, New York - 0.1.1
0.1, Cinta - March 16, 2003
0.0, Kris


Denver Zoo - Denver, Colorado - 1.1.0
1.0, Benny - January 232006
0.1, Rinny - July 3, 2007


Ellen Trout Zoo - Lufkin, Texas - 1.1.0
0.1, Tembikai - August 4, 2015 - Dumadi x Malaca
1.0, Cole


El Paso Zoo - El Paso, Texas - 1.1.0
1.0, LaRue
0.1, Bailey


Louisville Zoo - Louisville, Kentucky - 1.1.0
0.1, Sarah - August 29, 1994
1.0, Chip - January 4, 1995


Minnesota Zoo - Apple Valley, Minnesota - 2.1.0
0.1, Bertie
1.0, Jon-Hi - December 6, 2009 - Unknown x Knobbie
1.0, Tuah - August 8, 2020 - Jon-Hi x Bertie


Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo - Omaha, Nebraska - 1.2.0
1.0, Dumadi - 2012 - Benny x Rinny
0.1, Malacca - 2013
0.1, Sariah - August 31, 2018 - Dumadi x Malacca


Point Defiance Zoo - Tacoma, Washington - 2.1.0
1.0, Baku - April 29, 2014 - Benny x Rinny
0.1, Yuna
1.0, Kazu - July 2019 - Baku x Yuna


Riverbanks Zoo - Columbia, South Carolina - 0.1.0
0.1, Daniella - July 1996
1.0, Pulau - 1996 - Deceased?


San Antonio Zoo - San Antonio, Texas - 1.0.0
1.0, Kruze - 1991


San Diego Zoo - San Diego, California - 1.1.1
0.1, Amirah
1.0, March Calf’s Father
0.0, Unnamed - March 16, 2021 - Unknown x Amirah


Sedgwick County Zoo - Sedgwick County, Kansas - 0.1.0
0.1, Amirah - July 20, 2013 - Jon-Hi x Bertie


Virginia Zoo - Norfolk, Virginia - 2.1.0
0.1, Haddie - 2009
1.0, Rosco - October 10, 2015
1.0, Luther - January 20, 2020 - Rosco x Haddie


Woodland Park Zoo - Seattle, Washington - 1.2.0
1.0, Bintang - 2000
0.1, Ulan - January 1, 2012 - Unknown x Umi
0.1, Sempurna - June 10, 2020 - Bintang x Ulan


Zoo Miami - Miami, Florida - 1.0.0
1.0, Gabe - 1997


ZooTampa - Tampa, Florida - 2.1.0
0.1, Ubi - April 6, 2005
1.0, Albert - <2013
1.0, Tiga - December 17, 2018 - Albert x Ubi
Click to expand...

You are missing the Malayan tapir in Mexico kept by Africam Safari.

He is a male called "Sambayo".
 
nczoofan said:
Seems like there are gonna be plenty of calves to rehome in the coming years. It’ll be interesting to see where they get placed and if new institutions come online.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't be surprised if a couple of these are sent to zoos in Mexico.

There has been interest expressed by the Leon zoo in holding this species.

Personally though I think the priority should be given to the native Baird's tapir in zoos in the country.
 
EsserWarrior said:
Or even Mountain Tapir.
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Mountain tapir in Mexico ?

That species is native to the Andean region of South America (Colombia Ecuador and Peru) so a long way from Mexican territory.

I could be wrong but realistically speaking I don't think this tapir species would ever be sent to Mexican zoos or if it would even be worthwhile to try.

I think that attempts at captive breeding in both Colombia and the USA have kind of dried up and I wonder if the species really has a future in zoos.
 
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Onychorhynchus coronatus said:
Mountain tapir in Mexico ?

That species is native to the Andean region of South America (Colombia Ecuador and Peru) so a long way from Mexican territory.

I could be wrong but realistically speaking I don't think this tapir species would ever be sent to Mexican zoos or if it would even be worthwhile to try.

I think that attempts at captive breeding in both Colombia and the USA have kind of dried up and I wonder if the species really has a future in zoos.
Click to expand...
Ssurprised .... as quite regularly mountain tapir end up being rescued so more should be around. Also, a need for ex site presence and back up.
 
Kifaru Bwana said:
Yes, agreed.

Status Baird's tapir in Meso Americas next?!
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Sorry kifaru I don't know what you mean.

The Conservation status ?

Kifaru Bwana said:
Ssurprised .... as quite regularly mountain tapir end up being rescued so more should be around. Also, a need for ex site presence and back up.
Click to expand...

Yes true they are sometimes rescued and unable to be rehabilitated back to the wild and I share your view that there is a need for ex-situ.

However there doesn't seem to be much of a will to establish a captive breeding program in Colombia (not sure about Peru and Ecuador though).

@toto98 has more information on the situation with the tapir ex-situ in Colombia but I remember him telling me that the priority has now shifted to in-situ and that the current captive population is not so viable.

In the USA if I'm not mistaken the captive population is not viable either given that it is comprised of ageing or elderly animals (not 100 % sure though).
 
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@Oc, no I meant how large the Baird's tapir population in captivity is right now within Mexico itself? I thought the species was at medium interest level now with quite a few zoos not having the species at all in their collection.

The last data I could find was an international studbook from 2011:
Tuxtla Gutierrez: 3.2
Chapultepec: 1.0
Guadalajara: 2.0
Puebla-Africam: 1.1
Xcaret: 1.1
Leon: 1.0

But I am quite sure that is no longer current!
 
Daniella from Riverbanks has passed away, according to the zoo’s Instagram.

I’m not sure if she was their only tapir or not.
 
Info update for Canada

Miller Zoo in Quebec has 1.1
Calgary has 1.0
African Lion Safari has at least the one female, and possibly a second as well.
 
Echobeast said:
There doesn't seem to be any plans for mountain tapirs to be exported outside of their native range anytime soon unless something drastically changes with government policies.
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I would support relocating the entire UScurrent mountain tapir (since AZA/SSP management sees no further rol for them in North American zoos) stock back to South American ALPZA accredited zoos in the region in order to set up a local captive-breeding and ex situ program in support of the already functioning and successful in situ conservation work with this fascinating tapir species.
 
Kifaru Bwana said:
@Oc, no I meant how large the Baird's tapir population in captivity is right now within Mexico itself? I thought the species was at medium interest level now with quite a few zoos not having the species at all in their collection.

The last data I could find was an international studbook from 2011:
Tuxtla Gutierrez: 3.2
Chapultepec: 1.0
Guadalajara: 2.0
Puebla-Africam: 1.1
Xcaret: 1.1
Leon: 1.0

But I am quite sure that is no longer current!
Click to expand...

Sorry about the late reply Kifaru !

Somehow I missed this reply.

Yes absolutely there is every indication of decline of the species across it's range.

There are too few Baird's in zoos in Mexico and breeding success has been subpar.

This is an illustration of why I believe the priority in Latin American zoos has to be native species.
 
Kifaru Bwana said:
I would support relocating the entire UScurrent mountain tapir (since AZA/SSP management sees no further rol for them in North American zoos) stock back to South American ALPZA accredited zoos in the region in order to set up a local captive-breeding and ex situ program in support of the already functioning and successful in situ conservation work with this fascinating tapir species.
Click to expand...

I would agree with this but...

Aren't the mountain tapir kept in US zoos all rather aged animals ?

Which would be the recipient zoo in Latin America?

The only ALPZA accredited zoo that has both the infrastructure and expertise to begin a renewed ex-situ breeding program within one of the range countries IMO is the Cali zoo in Colombia (which already hold the species).

As I stated in my comment above I believe that Cali zoo and their foundation are now more focused on conserving the species in-situ so presumably the likelihood would be low.
 
Onychorhynchus coronatus said:
I would agree with this but...

Aren't the mountain tapir kept in US zoos all rather aged animals ?

Which would be the recipient zoo in Latin America?

The only ALPZA accredited zoo that has both the infrastructure and expertise to begin a renewed ex-situ breeding program within one of the range countries IMO is the Cali zoo in Colombia (which already hold the species).

As I stated in my comment above I believe that Cali zoo and their foundation are now more focused on conserving the species in-situ so presumably the likelihood would be low.
Click to expand...
Out of the 7 in the US, 6 are at least half-siblings and all over 15. The one unrelated one is 27. There really isn’t any chance of a sustainable population unless more are harvested.
 
Echobeast said:
Out of the 7 in the US, 6 are at least half-siblings and all over 15. The one unrelated one is 27. There really isn’t any chance of a sustainable population unless more are harvested.
Click to expand...

Thanks for sharing @Echobeast !

That's really interesting to learn as I had no idea that they were all so closely related and I agree that the situation is not viable.

Sadly I'm inclined to think that it is very unlikely that new individuals will be harvested from the wild.

I could be wrong but I just don't think that there is the will to do anything like that in Colombia (in Peru or Ecuador though could be) because the emphasis on the management of this species has shifted from ex-situ to in-situ within protected areas.

I imagine that these animals will in time die out in zoos in the USA which is tragic IMO as they should contribute their genes.
 
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