April 27th is International Tapir Day, a day to highlight the critical situation of this ancient species and raise awareness about the need to protect it. In this context, Bioparc Fuengirola is launching a popular vote to choose the name of the Malayan tapir calf born last March. the first one born in Spain.

The birth of this calf marked a milestone for the conservation of this species, listed as "Endangered" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and is part of Bioparc Fuengirola's commitment to international captive breeding programs for endangered species.

Now, the park wants to involve the public in this event and invites everyone to vote for their favorite name from among three options selected by the park's technical team, all with beautiful meanings in Asian languages:

• Tari, which means “dancer” in Indonesian.
• Dipika, which means “light” in Malay.
• Dream, which means “to dream” in Indonesian.

You can vote below. This vote will be open until May 9th, allowing anyone to participate in choosing the name of this little ambassador of its species.

A fascinating and seriously endangered species

The Malayan tapir (Tapirus indicus) is the only tapir found in Asia and is considered a "living fossil," with a lineage dating back more than 50 million years. However, its present situation is alarming: agricultural expansion, habitat loss, and poaching have led to a dramatic decline in its population. Currently, it is estimated that fewer than 2.500 individuals remain in the wild, concentrated in small, fragmented populations in Malaysia, Thailand, Sumatra, and Myanmar.

Births like the one at Bioparc Fuengirola are not only a cause for joy, but also for hope. They are tangible proof of the collaborative work of modern zoos and conservation centers, like Bioparc, which are actively involved in preserving biodiversity through scientific knowledge, education, and citizen participation.

This April 27th, Bioparc Fuengirola invites everyone to learn the story of this very special baby, to discover more about this unique species, and to be part of its history by voting for its name. Because protecting the Malayan tapir also means protecting the planet's natural wealth.