Malayan Tapir

The Malayan tapir, a solitary and nocturnal animal, always lives near water, which is essential for its survival and reproduction. It spends more than 12 hours a day resting. At birth, its brown coat with white stripes provides effective camouflage, before turning black and white around 8 months old. This new coloration helps it mimic rocks and blend into shaded environments. Its small trunk is used to grasp leaves, fruits, and branches.

The wild population of Malayan tapirs is currently estimated to be fewer than 2,500 individuals, largely due to deforestation for palm oil and paper pulp production, as well as illegal hunting. Conservation programs, such as the Malayan Tapir Conservation Action Plan and the Malay Tapir Conservation Project, aim to protect the species.