Baby Tapir
With spots and stripes to stay hidden in the bamboo and reeds, a baby tapir looks a lot like a watermelon when it's born! We'll watch our #SeattleWatermelon grow together
#SeattleWatermelon
It’s a Girl!
Joyful news: Ulan gave birth June 10! Tapir calf is healthy, strong and totally adorable
The #SeattleWatermelon has arrived. On June 10 at approximately 9:30 p.m., our Malayan tapir Ulan, gave birth to her first baby, a girl. We are in love.
The zoo’s veterinary team performed a neonatal exam on the newborn tapir. “The baby’s vital signs, including heart, lungs and eyes, all look good. She appears to be strong and weighed in at a healthy 18 pounds,” said Dr. Sally Nofs, associate veterinarian. “So far Ulan is showing attentive maternal care. Mom and baby are bonding and the baby is nursing appropriately.”
Animal care staff will continue to closely monitor Ulan and her baby to make sure developmental milestones are reached. They will maintain the calf indoors for the first week of her life. Following that, she will be introduced gradually to the outdoor habitats as soon as it is warm enough and dry.
It's Going to be a Watermelon-Themed Summer!
Because a newborn tapir looks like a watermelon on legs due to its reddish-brown coat dappled with white and cream-colored spots and stripes! This color pattern works wonders as camouflage in bamboo or reed jungles. The striped pattern begins to fade after a few months and the calf begins to look like a miniature adult at about 5 to 8 months old.
Catch Up on the Latest Tapir News
Ulan gave birth June 10! Tapir calf is healthy, strong and totally adorable
Baby proofed exhibit is ready!
Ulan is expecting
Fun Facts About Tapirs
- Tapirs are among the most primitive large mammals in the world, changing little in appearance for millions of years. This prehistoric-looking animal looks like a massive pig with a long snout. However, because they have an odd number of toes (four toes on each front foot, three on each back foot), their closest relatives are horses and rhinos.
- A newborn tapir looks like a watermelon on legs due to its reddish-brown coat dappled with white and cream-colored spots and stripes. This color pattern works wonders as camouflage in bamboo or reed jungles. The striped pattern begins to fade after a few months and the calf begins to look like a miniature adult at about 5 to 8 months old.
- The gestation period for tapirs is a little longer than humans—13 months! The average weight for a tapir calf is 22 pounds at birth and they are born with their eyes open and can usually stand within one or two hours after birth.
- The average weight for adult Malayan tapirs is 750 pounds, although they can weigh up to 900 pounds. The front half of an adult’s body and its hind legs are black and the rear half above the legs is white.
Make a Gift
It takes a lot to welcome a new baby to the zoo! Every dollar you give is an important investment in the well-being of this adorable new addition! Your gift will help provide excellent care for all of our animals, including first-time mother Ulan and baby girl! Become part of this baby’s story and help us celebrate #SeattleWatermelon with your gift today. Thank you!
MAKE A GIFT
DOWNLOADS
Baby Tapir Activity Kit!
Mazes, word scrambles, matching games and more... little ones will love this tapir-inspired activity packet.
Download your activity packet now
Digital Wallpapers
These background images are great for your computer or even your next virtual meeting!
Download Now
Giphy Sticker
Get excited and use #SeattleWatermelon to share your love for the baby-to-be with a tapir-worthy giphy sticker! Search for "woodland park zoo" to find tapir stickers and more in Insta stories, your Giphy keyboard and more!
Saving Tapirs
Do More for Tapirs by Protecting Their Forests
Woodland Park Zoo partners with conservation projects in Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra, where tapirs are found. By investing in land protection and habitat management, the work the zoo is doing helps to protect tapirs in their current habitats. “One of the greatest threats to tapirs is loss of habitat. By protecting land for tigers, orangutans and hornbills, the zoo is also protecting land for tapirs,” says Woodland Park Zoo Vice President of Conservation Initiatives Peter Zahler. “Everyone can join our efforts too. By making informed purchasing decisions and buying products with certified sustainable palm oil, you’re protecting tapirs and the forests they live in.”
Learn more about our Conservation Partners