Malayan Tapir

Illiutration of Malayan Tapir adult and child, 2008

Malayan Tapir

Tapirus indicus

By Jessica Kalbfleisch

Currently, there is estimated to be less than 2,500 adult Malayan tapirs living in Southeastern Asia. The Malayan tapir is the largest of the four tapir species and the only one to reside in Asia. They are unique creatures that have been hard to obtain information on for several reasons. The Malayan tapirs are mainly nocturnal and very fast moving for their size—making for a challenge in human research. There is still a lot unknown about the species, but if we do not act to protect these tapirs, they will likely be extinct in all of Asia in a few decades.

Description and Ecology

Though Malayan tapirs tend to resemble pigs with trunks, they are more closely related to horses and rhinoceroses. They can grow up to be 7-8 feet in length and range from 3-4.5 feet in height. They have long snouts formed by an extended nose and upper lip that protrudes down their face. They have four toes on their forefeet and three toes on their hindfeet which all end in hooves, but interestingly, their fourth toe on each forefoot does not touch the ground making their imprints all three-digit footprints.

Flexible nose and ears shared by all tapir species, 2013

The tapirs tend to remain within forests and tropical rainforests within southeast Asia. They will often remain near sources of water to assist their eating habits. Malayan tapirs are herbivores and will feed on grasses, fruits, leaves, twigs, and aquatic vegetation.

"Malayan Tapir", 2010

"Visitor's can see Denver Zoo's baby tapir swim around the exhibit", 2017

                 

                                                  

Geographic and Population Changes

The Malayan tapir geographical range can be separated into three distinct sub-populations: Thailand-Myanmar, south Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia, and the southern and central parts of Indonesia. The tapir population is estimated to have declined by more than 50% in Thailand and Malaysia and slightly less than 50% in Sumatra in the past four decades.

"Malayan Tapir Range Map”, 2008

In Thailand and Myanmar, the remaining population of tapirs living in this area are fragmented into many sub-populations often numbering 15 or less—a nonviable population for long term survival. It is anticipated that there will be less than 250 adult tapirs within the Thailand and Myanmar area within the next five years.

In Malaysia and southern Thailand, the tapir population is the largest of the three sub-populations and has been the most resilient to habitat fragmentation. The population is between 1,300 to 1,700 individuals and has been remaining stable in this area.

In Sumatra, Indonesia, the approximate number of Malayan tapirs assumed to remain in the Indonesian land is around 400 to 500 adult individuals. Though there is no evidence of systematic hunting against these animals, they have been victims of accidental snares, roadkill, and retaliation by the local villagers.

Map of the change in Malayan tapir distribution in the wild, 2013

Listing Dates and Types

Based off the IUCN Red List, the Malayan tapirs were first listed endangered in 1986. This lasted until 1996 when the species was lowered to vulnerable. In the 21^st century, the species went back to endangered in 2002, and then vulnerable again in 2003. Then, since 2008, the Malayan tapirs have been on the endangered species list despite the development of the National Tapir Action Plan.

Main Threats

The primary threats to the extinction of Malayan tapirs are human caused activities such as large-scale habitat loss, fragmentation of remaining habitat, and accidental road-kills. Since these animals are sensitive to forest fragmentation, the largest threat to the Malayan tapir population is from habitat destruction in unprotected land areas. There has been a 57% loss of forest cover in which approximately half of that land is considered tapir habitat. A majority of the decline in forest cover is due to the conversion from forest to palm oil plantations and human development. Because most of the tapir population lives outside of the protected land areas where the deforestation occurs, the deforestation for palm oil plantation has been more harmful to the Malayan tapirs than illegal logging activities.

"Palm oil production has created forest fragments across Malaysia and Indonesia",  2013

There has also been a positive correlation between palm oil plantation developments and road kills for Malayan tapirs reported. This shows that the fragmentation of the forest is causing an increase in habitat loss and accidental deaths for the Malayan tapirs.

 Malayan Tapir Roadkill, 2013

Recovery Plan

In 2003, a recovery plan for the management of the Malayan tapir’s population was constructed. The outline of the key finalized goals is made below:

Goals (time schedule, estimated cost):

1. To build a field staff that meets the requirements of the ASEAM occupational standards (3-5 years, $1,000,000)
2. Develop and implement uniform data collection of tapir ranges to improve coverage and develop monitoring methods (3-5 years, $1,000,000)
3. Increase personnel involved with data analysis and interpretation for tapir (3-5 years, $1,000,000)
4. Begin a training program for tapir conservation focusing on their population, reproduction, ecology and behavior (12 months, $25,000)

Most of these goals focus on learning more about the Malayan tapir population because much about the population is still unknown. It then switches its focus to promoting conservation in the regions where Malayan tapirs live. Before we can start increasing their population, a solid foundation of research on this population must be completed. The research would provide for a better understanding of how we are able to help the Malayan tapirs throughout Southeast Asia.

For more specific information on the Recovery Plan follow this link:

tapirs.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/2003-Malayan-Tapir-Action-Plan-English.pdf

"Meena and Baby at Dudly Zoo", 2010

How to Help

If you would like to protect these unique creatures from going extinct follow these guidelines! You are already one step closer to helping save the Malayan tapir population by becoming more informed about the kinds of dangers that tapirs face. Another more direct action you can take is trying to reduce the amount of deforestation humans are causing around the tapir’s geographical ranges. By choosing to not buy products that contain palm oil, you will be reducing the demand for new plantations and protecting the tapir habitat. This will help save the tapir habitat and allow their population to become more stable. You can also make minor changes to your lifestyle to promotes a healthier environment. If you chose to carpool or recycle in effort to reduce pollution, you are benefiting the environment and creating a better living environment for tapirs.

"Save our Nature”, 2015

Works Cited

Bickerton, Eleanor. “Malayan Tapir.” Conjour, Conservation Journal, 2018, conservationjournal.world/conservation/malayan-tapir/.

Gearty, William. “Tapirus indicus.” Animal Diversity Web, 2014, animaldiversity.org/accounts/Tapirus_indicus/.

“Malayan Tapir.” The Animal Hotspot Asia, The Animal Hotspot, 2008, animaldiversity.org/accounts/Tapirus_indicus/.

“Malayan Tapir.” Tapir Specialist Group, 2008, tapirs.org/tapirs/malayan-tapir/malayan-tapir/.

“Tapir Action Plans." Tapir Specialist Group, 2008, tapirs.org/conservation/action-plans/.

“Tapirus indicus.” The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, IUCN Red List, 2016, www.iucnredlist.org/details/21472/0.

Pictures Cited

Butler, Rhett A. “Palm oil production has created forest fragments across Malaysia and Indonesia.” Mongabay, News & Inspiration from Nature’s Frontline, 2013, news.mongabay.com/2013/08/forest-fragmentation-leading-to-higher-extinction-rates/.

Flexible nose and ears shared by all tapir species. Tapirs, San Diego Zoo Global, 2013, library.sandiegozoo.org/factsheets/tapir/tapir.htm.

Hafizuddin, Naqiudin and Syairi, Hafifi. “Save our Nature.” 15 Delta, Word Press, 2015, 15delta.wordpress.com/author/syairiyahaya/.

Illustration of Malayan Tapir adult and child, Malayan Tapir, Tapir Specialist Group, 2008, tapirs.org/tapirs/malayan-tapir/malayan-tapir/.

“Malayan Tapir Range Map.” Malayan Tapir, Tapir Specialist Group, 2008, tapirs.org/tapirs/malayan-tapir/malayan-tapir/.

Malayan Tapir Roadkill. Dr Mat, Blogspot, 2013, drmat-ismail.blogspot.com/2013/03/tapir-among-sensitive-animals-and.html.

“Meena and Baby at Dudley Zoo.” TAPIRS: The Tapur Preservation Fund, Tapir Gallery, 2010, tapirgallery.blogspot.com/2010/09/meena-and-baby-at-dudley-zoo.html.

Smith, Rodger. “Malayan Tapir.” Flickr, 2010, www.flickr.com/photos/wodjamiff/4684710776/.

“Tapirs.” Animals, National Geographic, n.d., www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/group/tapirs/.

Web Staff. “Visitors can see Denver Zoo’s baby tapir swim around in exhibit.” Fox Denver, Denver Zoo, 2017, kdvr.com/2017/06/22/visitors-can-now-see-denver-zoos-baby-tapir-swim-around-in-exhibit/.