Main image via animalmalaysiatv / YouTube
Growing up we’ve learned that the Malayan Tapir is one of Malaysia’s most iconic animals, but they are on the brink of extinction.
Due to human activity such as deforestation and more, the estimated number left in Peninsula Malaysia is around 500, and one was recently spotted in a housing area.
The lost tapir was reportedly filmed in a housing area in Salak Tinggi, Sepang and can be seen running around cluelessly.
The video shows the tapir running past some houses as a motorcyclist filmed it from behind.
At the end of the 15 seconds video, the tapir can be seen taking a turn at the end of the street before vanishing.
The Malaysian Animal Association wrote in a Facebook post with the video saying that spotting the tapir in a housing area is further proof that the species is facing extinction.
The public is also urged to not disturb the animal if spotted, because it’s not a dangerous animal and to contact the Department of Wildlife and National Parks to seek help in relocating the tapir if it’s lost.
Many netizens are heartbroken seeing the lost tapir and hope that illegal deforestation will stop harming the species’ habitat.
The Malayan tapir is classified as endangered due to the loss of their habitat from illegal logging and the lack of protection at most of the areas that they are known to reside in.
Only four types of tapir remain in the world and there are only about 2,500 Malayan tapirs left in the world.
The decline of the Malayan tapir in Malaysia is mainly caused by the loss of forest habitat and roadkill in recent years, with as many as 25 killed after being hit by vehicles in 2017 alone.
It is also a challenge to conserve the animal due to the fact that they reproduce slower than most mammals and can be pregnant for up to 14 months long.
Let’s hope that the country and the world can do better at protecting the endangered species and we hope that future generations won’t have to know tapirs as an extinct species.
Info via Malaysia Animal Association , The ASEAN Post
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