Last of the Tapirs in Dehiwala dies

(September 30, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The only tapir at the National Zoological Gardens in Dehiwala died on Monday night. “There was nearly one and half kilos of polythene in his belly, which caused his death,” said Ramani Jayalath, Chief Veterinary Officer of the Zoo.

The tapir is a large browsing mammal, roughly pig-like in shape, with a short, prehensile snout. Tapirs inhabit jungle and forest regions of South America, Central America, and Southeast Asia. There are four species of Tapirs, being the Brazilian tapir, the Malayan tapir, Baird's tapir and the mountain tapir. All four species of tapir are classified as endangered or vulnerable. Their closest relatives are the other odd-toed ungulates, including horses and rhinoceroses.

This tapir was brought to Sri Lanka on May 15, 1996 from South America. The animal mostly inhabits land but prefers water as well.

The South American tapir, which feeds on leaves can be seen out in the open only during the early hours of the morning and late evening.

Known by the scientific name of Tapirus Terrestris, this animal has a lifespan of around 30 years.

The only other female tapir brought along with this one died about 8 years ago.

Meanwhile, zoo officials again made their appeal to the public not to feed the animals in the zoo.

-Sri Lanka Guardian