CBBC zoo welcomes first tapir calf in 14 years

A tapir calf from a vulnerable species has been born at a zoo featured in a CBBC series.

Hertfordshire Zoo, which appears in One Zoo Three, said the male lowland tapir is the first of its species to be born there in 14 years.

The species has been classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) since 2002.

Tyler Whitnall, managing director of the zoo near Broxbourne, said: "This birth represents hope for a species that is under increasing pressure in the wild."

"Hertfordshire Zoo has been a long term supporter of the Lowland Tapir Conservation Initiative, who are helping protect the future of lowland tapirs in South America," he added.

The calf was born on 8 July after mother Fifi's 430-day (14 months) pregnancy. Zoo staff said he was able to stand within 10 minutes of birth.

Fifi arrived at the zoo in January as part of the European ex-situ breeding programme, which is coordinated by the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

According to the IUCN, the lowland tapir population has fallen by more than 30% over the past 33 years.

It links the decline to deforestation, illegal hunting and road collisions.

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