World Tapir Day 2023: Date, History, Facts about Gigantic Tapirs

World Tapir Day is celebrated annually on April 27 to bring attention to this species’ plight and to advocate for its preservation for future generations. Despite being a hybrid between a pig and an elephant, these creatures are genetically related to horses and rhinoceroses. Both the tapir and this eclectic ancestry are centuries old; neither is new to the globe. According to researchers, these animals have remained essentially unchanged for millions of years. Continue reading to discover more about this unique creature.

The background of World Tapir Day

World Tapir Day was created to save this endangered species from extinction so that our grandchildren will be able to appreciate them. They are exceedingly sensitive to deforestation due to their forest or jungle habitats, which is especially true for herbivores of their size. Tapirs are native to South and Central America, as well as South-East Asia. They have the general structure of a pig with hoofed hooves, but the long snout of an elephant. This magnificent creature is presently listed as endangered due to excessive hunting for meat and hides.

However, the ramifications of its extinction extend far beyond the extinction of a single unique species; the extinction of the tapir could place the entire surviving forest ecosystem at risk. As a consequence of natural processes, they also aid in seed dispersal throughout the forest, and they are among the oldest species found in these regions.

Numerous individuals are unaware of the tapir’s existence as a species, which means they are unknowingly losing contact with a unique portion of the planet. The general public is so unfamiliar with these animals that zoo visitors frequently mistake them for members of another species. This is a concern even in countries where tapirs occur naturally, which is why World Tapir Day was created to help spread awareness about this imperilled species.

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5 FACTS ABOUT THE GIGANTIC TAPIRS

Tapirs consume food twice daily, in the morning and evening.

Throughout their foraging and defecation, they disperse the seeds they have ingested, thereby promoting future plant growth.

Southeast Asia is home to the world’s largest tapir, the black-and-white Malay tapir, which can measure up to 800 pounds and lives in Malaysia and Sumatra’s forests and marshes.

Due to their thick coat, woolly tapirs are the tiniest members of the tapir family.

Tapirs are regarded living fossils because they have existed since the Eocene epoch.

WORLD TAPIR DAY DATES