"A Fuzzy Walking Watermelon" — Adorable Endangered Malayan Tapir Born At US Zoo
Just a baby.
By Tamara Jayne — 07 Feb 2025, 10:17 AM
Something incredibly special has arrived at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium — a tiny, wobbly, and utterly adorable Malayan tapir calf!
Born on 2 February to proud parents Yuna and Baku, this little one is only the second tapir ever born in the Washington zoo's 120-year history.
And if you thought baby tapirs were just miniature versions of their parents, think again. The zoo describes this cutie as a "fuzzy, walking watermelon" — thanks to its dark, velvety coat sprinkled with white spots and wavy stripes.
These unique markings serve as natural camouflage in the wild, helping young tapirs blend into their surroundings. But at the zoo, they mostly just make the calf impossibly cute!
Malayan tapirs are an endangered species, with habitat loss posing a major threat to their wild populations.
That's why every birth is a big deal — this calf is part of a crucial effort to ensure the future of these fascinating creatures.
Weighing in at an estimated 9kg, the newborn is a far cry from its mum's hefty 400kg and dad's 360kg. But don't be fooled — this little one is growing fast!
For now, the calf is spending its days behind the scenes in the Asian Forest Sanctuary, bonding with mum Yuna and receiving expert care from the zoo's veterinary and animal care teams.
Head Veterinarian Dr Karen Wolf confirms that both mum and baby are doing well, and the zoo team couldn't be more excited.
"We're thrilled to witness this incredible moment and watch the calf grow," said Curator Telena Welsh.
Here's a video of the three-day-old baby snuggling with its mama:
While the calf will remain behind the scenes a little longer, lucky visitors will get to meet the little one later this spring (sometime between March and June).
In the meantime, the zoo will be sharing updates soon — including the baby's official name and sex — so stay tuned!
