Following an absence of over 10 years, we have welcomed back two Brazilian tapirs into our collection. Summer and her partner Ronaldo arrived four weeks ago as part of a European Breeding Programme for the species. They have settled in well into their new home and can be seen most days out together in their new paddock beside the pygmy hippos.

As the name suggests, Brazilian tapirs come from the rainforests of Brazil and are also found living in the neighbouring countries in northern and central South America. They spend much of their time wallowing in water and mud, or lying about in the shade of the forest’s undergrowth. Despite their size (around 250kg) they can be surprisingly agile and will run at speeds of up to 20mph for the safety of water when they feel threatened. Once in the water they are able to stay submerged for hours using their nose as a snorkel.

Summer and Ronaldo, who is affectingly known as Ronny by his keepers, are inseparable and are very much made for each other as their keeper, Jody Geary, explains: “Ronny is very inquisitive and likes to look into everything around him whilst Summer is more laid back but just as friendly. They like to spend their days close to each other and don’t like to be parted at all.” Jody added: “It’s great to have Brazilian tapirs back at Marwell Wildlife, they really are lovely animals and Ronny and Summer are a delight to work with.”

Very little is known about the wild population numbers of Brazilian tapirs. However, it is believed that their numbers are declining in the wild. They are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, and their decline is estimated to be slightly greater than 30% in the past three generations (33 years). Destruction of the Brazilian rainforest from deforestation, and habitat loss from competition with domestic livestock, as well as illegal hunting have all contributed to the tapir’s population decline and fragmentation.

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1 May 2009