Ex Situ Conservation-Tapir

EX-SITU
CONSERVATION
EX-SITU CONSERVATION IN
ZOOS
 At least 5,624 species of vertebrate animals are
currently threatened with extinction worldwide.
 The role of zoos in the conservation of biodiversity,
and specifically ex situ conservation, became a legal
obligation in Europe in 2002 with the implementation
of the European Zoos Directive.
 The Directive was fully incorporated into UK zoo
legislation in 2003. Perhaps recognising an
opportunity to refute growing scepticism over the
keeping of animals in captivity, zoos assumed the
role of animal ‘arks’ and promoted their new
conservation purpose.
 However, despite claims by zoos that their
contribution to conservation is significant, to date
there has been no reliable mechanism to assess
zoos’ performance. Should the conservation
credentials of zoos be taken on trust?
 In the last 12 months, the Born Free Foundation has
undertaken a series of investigations to assess the
conservation commitment of the UK’s more
‘progressive’ zoos.
MALAYAN TAPIR
MALAYAN TAPIR
 Scientific Name:
Tapirus indicus
 Classification:
Order : Perissodactyla
Family : Tapiridae
MALAYAN TAPIR
 Description:
The color pattern of the young is different from the parent, where
the young is black with white spots and stripes. The transition to
the adult colour pattern begins at about 3 months of age. Tapir
can live for 25-35 years.
 Behavior:
Adults are solitary, being accompanied only by dependent young.
Active largely but not exclusively by night wandering long
distances on regular trails through the forest.
MALAYAN TAPIR
 Habitat:
In forests from the lowlands to mountain tops.
Reproduction:
One young is born after a gestation period of 13 - 13½ months.
 Similar Species:
South American Tapirs.
 Other names:
 Malayan tapir, badak (Malaysia and Indonesia), som-set
(Thailand).
 Diet:
Leaves, grass and fallen fruits.
Range:
 This species is found from southern Thailand and southern Myanmar
(Burma) through the Malayan Peninsular and on the Indonesian island
of Sumatra. It occurs in rainforests and lower montane forests. It
survives well in secondary, regenerating native forests.
 Characteristics:
 Up to 1.8 meters long (6 feet) and 350 kg (720 pounds). It is the largest
of the four tapir species.
 Status: Endangered
 Conservation threats: Habitat destruction and fragmentation is the

primary threat. Large scale deforestation, including illegal logging for
timber, is a major source of habitat loss. The growth of palm oil
plantations is also a major factor in habitat loss. Hunting is also on the
rise as other large "prey" species in the area are reduced in number.
 Population Estimate (2008): 1500-2000 individuals. Numbers are

decreasing.
 Behavior
Mating: Primarily solitary, the species forms occasional associations for breeding.
Sounds:
 Communication is by a range of whistles of different pitch and duration.
 Activity:
 More active throughout the night but often seen during the day, including feeding. The
species frequently defecates in water as well as on land. The spraying of urine onto
vegetation and trees is thought to be associated with home range marking. There is no
evidence of exclusive territoriality. Males appear to have small home ranges (about 1-2 sq
km) and females possibly range more widely.
Feeding habits:
 The species eats the twigs and growing tips of a wide range of understorey vegetation,
including snapping small to large saplings with its mouth to get to plant parts that are out of
reach. It also takes a large variety of fruits and leaves from the forest floor.
Other:
 A lot is still unknown about this species. It is vulnerable to predation by tigers. Its only
defense is to run through thick vegetation. It has very thick and tough skin, particularly on
its hindquarters. It also has a vicious bite.
habitat
Top priority actions steps:
 Tapir-specific recommendations
4. Design and implement two detailed field studies (Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia) to
generate more precise estimates of selected demographic parameters: Density and
Survival rates (primarily of adults).
5. Improve/complement our database on distribution of Malay tapirs throughout their range.
6. Design and implementation of a study to evaluate the genetic diversity of Malay tapirs
throughout their range.
7. Develop an assessment of the level of extraction of Malay tapirs (hunting, by-catch, hit by
cars, etc).
8. Periodic supplement of results from long-term studies into Malay tapir database.
9. Design and implement two detailed field studies (Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia) to
generate more precise estimates of selected demographic parameters: Density and
Survival rates (primarily of adults)
10. Develop an assessment of the level of extraction of Malay tapirs (hunting, by-catch, road
kills, etc)
11. Design and implementation of a study to evaluate the genetic diversity of Malay tapirs
throughout their range
Threats to Tapirs
Top three priority action steps:

 1. To conduct awareness campaign about the
importance of buffer zones in all four range

countries (directed towards the communities around
Protected Areas, managers and relevant authorities)
 2. To develop Terms of Reference for landscape
planning with inclusion of conservation

considerations
 3. To create incentives and support for people “on
the ground” to enforce the law

How Tapirs Escape
Predators
1. tapirs produce one offspring (rarely twins) per birth. This offspring is
born ready to walk - another anti-preadator adaptation.
It is no wonder that tapirs gestate for 12-13 months and breed in the
wild only once every other year (though, there is one field report of a
female tapir in oestrus 18 months after her previous birth). Compare the
tapir’s reproductive strategy to that of pigs, which can give birth to large
numbers (4-12) of undeveloped offspring every year. So, tapirs are born
ready to move and avoid predators by staying next to their mothers, at a
considerable energetic cost to the mother.
4. regards to protection from predators when the young are left behind.
Tapirs are born with a brown to reddish-brown pelage, with rows of
white dots. This coloration has long been suspected to aid in
camouflaging the baby tapir - another adaptation to avoid predation.
1. How do tapirs escape predators?
tapirs run through thickets of forest and/or dive into rivers or

deep pools of water. A galloping tapir breaks through bushes
with branches 3-4 inches (8-10 cm) thick. A small cat gripping
the back of the tapir will have a hard time holding on to its prey
if it’s being hit by thick branches. Also, although cats can and
do swim, they are no match to the natatory prowess of a tapir,
which can go under water for a minute and thus escape the
chasing predator.
Despite all their adaptations to avoid predation, there is still
one predator tapirs of any age are unable to escape –
relentless and insatiable – man.
THE END

Ex Situ Conservation-Tapir

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EX-SITU

 Conservation threats: Habitat destruction and fragmentation is the

 Population Estimate (2008): 1500-2000 individuals. Numbers are

Top three priority action steps:

importance of buffer zones in all four range

planning with inclusion of conservation

the ground” to enforce the law

tapirs run through thickets of forest and/or dive into rivers or

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