A rare Malayan tapir has been born at Port Lympne animal park. Picture: The Aspinall Foundation/David Rolfe

by Thom Morris

tmorris@thekmgroup.co.uk

A rare Malayan tapir has been born at Port Lympne – the animal park’s tenth successful birth of its kind.

The young male, named Manado, was born to mother Malacca and father Hunter.

The first tapir birth in captivity happened in 1989 and now Port Lympne’s tapir house is home for Manado and Kejutan, who was born four months ago to his mum Lidaeng.

Hoofstock keeper Bob Savill said: "This is Malacca’s first calf and mother and baby are both doing well. This birth is fantastic news not only for the future of tapirs but for our hoofstock keepers too - it is very special that we have two babies in the same house, at the same time.

"We are confident that he will be very popular and visitors will be able to visit him during February half term."

Malayan tapirs are born after a 13 month pregnancy. Malayan tapirs are endangered in the wild because of the destruction of rainforests to make way for palm oil plantations and from increased hunting.