In our busy lives, taking a moment to watch cute baby animal videos can be a refreshing break. The stress of daily life often requires a reset, and nothing accomplishes this quite like adorable baby animals. If you’re in need of a new dose of cuteness, look no further! The Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, Washington, recently welcomed a rare and endangered Malayan tapir calf, marking only the second time in the zoo’s 120-year history. This precious newcomer is so fresh that the zoo has yet to reveal its name and gender, but its endearing squeaks and speckled coat have already captured the hearts of viewers worldwide.
This baby tapir is the epitome of cuteness. Referred to by the zoo as a “tiny, walking watermelon,” the newborn tapir is thriving alongside its proud parents Yuna and Baku. Despite being less than two weeks old, the calf is already exploring on its wobbly legs, cuddling with its mother, and charming everyone with its adorable antics. Its daily routine includes nursing, napping, snuggling, and, of course, being irresistibly cute.
Stay tuned for the big reveal of this special calf’s name and gender in the coming weeks. In the meantime, visitors can look forward to watching it grow and bond with its family in the privacy of the zoo’s Asian Forest Sanctuary. While tapir calves typically nurse for six months and stick close to their mothers for up to 18 months, guests can anticipate a chance to meet this rare calf in person later this year. Until then, fans can continue to marvel at the magical Malayan tapir online.
The Malayan tapir, also known as the “Oreo tapir” due to its striking black-and-white markings, boasts a unique appearance. As babies, they sport black bodies adorned with white stripes and spots, camouflaging them from predators in their forest habitat. As they mature, their coloration changes, resembling the iconic Oreo cookie design. These tapirs have short, trunk-like snouts that aid in foraging for food in the dense rainforest, where they feed on vegetation using their keen sense of smell.
Sadly, Malayan tapirs face endangerment in the wild, underscoring the importance of conservation efforts and breeding programs in captivity. Through initiatives like the Species Survival Plan, animals like Yuna and Baku have been paired to help ensure the survival of this magnificent species.
The program is designed to support the genetic diversity and long-term sustainability of Malayan tapirs in human care. It has successfully facilitated the birth of both of the only two tapirs ever born at the Point Defiance Zoo. The first tapir, a male named Kazu, was born in 2019 and now serves as the older brother to the zoo’s newest tapir. We eagerly anticipate the announcement of the new baby tapir’s name. In the meantime, we will enjoy observing this precious baby as they squeak, sniff, and snuggle their way through their unfamiliar surroundings.
