Last year, Bioparc Fuengirola welcomed Mekong, a young male Malayan tapir. He arrived at the park in Malaga to live with Rawa, the female who already lived there. From the very first moment, the relationship between the two has been great and just a few weeks after their approach, their keepers began to observe the first copulations. Now, with great excitement, BIOPARC Fuengirola announces that the female Malayan tapir is pregnant.
This fact marks a milestone in conservation efforts for this endangered species, an achievement that is the result of years of work dedicated to animal welfare and the preservation of biodiversity. This achievement highlights the important role of animal conservation parks such as BIOPARC Fuengirola, which represent one of the most important avenues of hope for endangered species such as the Malayan tapir.
The park recreates an environment that replicates the natural habitat of Malayan tapirs, allowing the pregnant female to receive the necessary care to ensure the successful delivery and rearing of the baby tapir. Although Rawa is already in an advanced stage of pregnancy, it was not until now that the park decided to make the news public, after the veterinary team confirmed that everything is in order. In addition, From the very first moment, the team of caretakers works meticulously to ensure the well-being of the pregnant female and the healthy development of her offspring.During gestation, which lasts around 13 months, caregivers provide the mother with a diet that meets her growing nutritional needs, ensuring a diet rich in fibre, vitamins and essential minerals.
“Training by the caretakers has been intensified. These types of exercises make it easier for us to examine her; to let us touch her, to do ultrasounds and to keep her calm during her birth, since, at this point, we will have to be close to check that the calf and the mother are well, and that she is breastfeeding properly,” explains Rosa Martínez, veterinarian at Bioparc Fuengirola.
Monitoring, through cameras, 24 hours a day
In addition, regular monitoring is carried out through ultrasounds and veterinary checks to assess the state of the foetus and prevent any complications. In addition to this monitoring, there is surveillance through cameras installed in their indoor shelters. “The cameras installed in the stables allow us to monitor both of them constantly without disturbing them. And after birth, this monitoring will be extended to the outdoor enclosure, an area where cameras will also be installed to monitor the first steps of the calf on the beach.
In the coming weeks, the park will begin work to adapt this outdoor area to the needs and abilities of the little calf, in order to mitigate any potential risks, provide the necessary care and keep her safe. At the moment, the female's environment is also being adjusted to reduce stress, providing a calm space that simulates her natural habitat and encourages instinctive behaviours.
Collaboration between caregivers, veterinarians and conservation experts is key to this process. This coordinated effort not only ensures a successful pregnancy, but also strengthens the BIOPARC's commitment to the protection of endangered species such as the Malayan tapir, whose birth represents a hope for its conservation
In the wild, the population barely exceeds 2.000 specimens. Only 40 specimens live in zoos in Europe, and in Spain, Mekong and Rawa are the only representatives of this unique species.
Known for its distinctive two-coloured coat and elongated trunk, the Malayan tapir is a species native to Southeast Asia that faces serious threats from habitat loss, deforestation and poaching. Currently, there are an estimated just over 2.000 individuals left in the wild, making each captive birth a significant step forward in ensuring the survival of this unique species.
The birth of the Malayan tapir will be an event that not only celebrates life, but also underlines the importance of species conservation globally.. Each new hatchling symbolises a small victory over the challenges of extinction and is an opportunity to educate and raise public awareness about the need to protect biodiversity. BIOPARC Fuengirola continues to be a beacon of hope for endangered wildlife, showing that with effort and commitment, it is possible to change the fate of the most vulnerable species.
