Malayan tapir

The Malayan tapir (Tapirus indicus), also known as the Asian tapir, is a large herbivorous mammal native to Southeast Asia. Here’s a description of its distribution by country:

  1. Indonesia: Malayan tapirs are found in various regions of Indonesia, particularly in the islands of Sumatra and Borneo (Kalimantan). They inhabit forests, swamps, and other wooded areas on these islands.
  2. Malaysia: Malayan tapirs are native to Malaysia, where they are found in Peninsular Malaysia as well as the states of Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo. They inhabit a range of habitats, including rainforests, montane forests, and freshwater swamps.
  3. Thailand: Malayan tapirs are also found in certain parts of Thailand, particularly in forested areas of the southern peninsula and the border regions with Malaysia.
  4. Myanmar (Burma): Malayan tapirs inhabit parts of Myanmar, particularly in forested regions across the country, including the Tanintharyi Region and the Tenasserim Hills.
  5. Brunei, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Singapore: Malayan tapirs are also found in various other countries in Southeast Asia, although their distribution may be more fragmented, and they may be locally extinct in some areas due to habitat loss and hunting.

Malayan tapirs are characterized by their distinctive black and white coloration, with a black body and white patches on their ears, face, throat, and rear end. They are primarily nocturnal and solitary, feeding on a diet of leaves, fruits, and aquatic vegetation. Despite being listed as vulnerable by the IUCN Red List, Malayan tapirs face threats from habitat loss, fragmentation, and hunting. Conservation efforts aim to protect their remaining habitats and ensure their long-term survival.

Malayan tapir in Zoos

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