BIOPARC Fuengirola has witnessed a historic event: the birth of the first Malayan tapir cub (Tapirus indicus) in Spain. In the early hours of Saturday, March 29, at 03:20 a.m., Rawa gave birth to her tiny calf after 13 months of gestation. This milestone not only represents a success for the park but is also a key achievement within international conservation programs for this endangered species, whose population numbers no more than 2.500.
A long-awaited birth and unprecedented follow-up
More than a year ago, the arrival of Mekong, a young male, brought new hope for the reproduction of the Malayan tapir at BIOPARC Fuengirola. His adaptation to his new environment and his bond with Rawa soon showed positive signs, with continued copulations observed by his keepers.
However, the birth of the calf took longer than expected. The gestation period for Malayan tapirs in captivity is described as lasting around 13 months: 390 to 410 days. There is no more precise data, but it is common for such long gestations to deviate slightly from the norm. Fortunately, the Bioparc team has special training with Rawa, which allowed them to perform ultrasounds up to the days before birth, ensuring that the pregnancy was proceeding without problems.
The park has captured previously unseen images of childbirth, showing the beauty of this unique moment in nature.
Finally, in the early hours of Saturday, March 29, after 424 days of pregnancy, the long-awaited moment arrived. Thanks to constant monitoring, the park has captured previously unseen images of the birth, documenting how Rawa gave birth to her calf and began caring for her from the very first moment. The captured images show the strength and tenderness of this natural process, highlighting the beauty of one of the most unknown and endangered species on the planet.
“Both the calf and the mother are doing wonderfully. From the very beginning, the calf has been able to locate its mother's breast to feed, a key gesture confirming that everything is going well. At this moment, the entire technical team is monitoring the calf's progress, both in person and through cameras. It is gaining weight and becoming more agile when following its mother; it responds to her caresses and continues to nurse. The next step, if all goes as planned, will be its release into the wild,” explains Javier Vicent, Head of Zoology at Bioparc Fuengirola.
An exemplary mother and a hopeful future
Since birth, Rawa has proven to be an exceptional mother; a particularly significant performance given that she is a first-time mother. Immediately after giving birth, she cleaned her baby and adopted the perfect position to facilitate breastfeeding. In these first few days, members of the Veterinary and Zoology departments have observed with satisfaction how the little tapir follows its mother, responds to her stimuli, and successfully adapts to its environment.
The calf has not yet been weighed nor has its sex been determined, but according to species standards, its birth weight is estimated to be between 8 and 10 kilograms. As with all Malayan tapirs, its fur features a pattern of white spots and stripes on a dark brown background, a camouflage strategy that allows it to blend in with the vegetation. As it grows, its appearance will gradually change to the characteristic black and white coloration of adults.
A period of adaptation before its presentation to the public
For the time being, both mother and calf will remain in the park's indoor facilities, where they will undergo a quarantine period to ensure their health and proper development. This time is crucial to closely monitor the well-being of both and ensure that the offspring are properly fed and developing normally. When environmental conditions are optimal and the development of the pup progresses favorably, a gradual process of adaptation to the outdoor area will begin. During this period, the care team will carefully observe the pup's response to the new environment to adjust its needs and facilitate its adaptation to the outdoor habitat of the enclosure.
A crucial achievement for conservation
The birth of this calf is an unprecedented success for Malayan tapir conservation. In the past ten years, fewer than 25 births have been recorded in zoos around the world, underscoring the importance of this event.
With this launch, BIOPARC Fuengirola reaffirms its role as a leader in the protection of endangered species. Its participation in international programs and its daily work ensure the well-being of the animals it houses while contributing to education and raising awareness about the need to preserve biodiversity.
Each new life that arrives at the park symbolizes another step in the fight against extinction and a unique opportunity for the public to understand and appreciate the importance of conserving the natural world.
