New addition to zoo family

DUBLIN Zoo is celebrating the birth of a Brazilian tapir, the first-born offspring of mum Rio and dad Marmaduke.

The male calf was born early on Tuesday, June 5 and zoo team leader Eddie O’Brien, said all the keepers and staff were delighted with the birth of the young tapir.

“Mum and calf are doing very well and we are really happy with how well Rio is doing as a first time mum,

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“The calf was up and about quickly after he was born, he is really inquisitive!

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Tapir calves are born with a number of white spots and stripes which act as camouflage in the wild. The spots and stripes mimic the dappled sunlight on the forest floor but these markings will disappear by adulthood.

Although this is Rio’s first calf, Marmaduke has successfully fathered 17 tapir calves to date.

Rio arrived at Dublin Zoo last year from Marwell Wildlife Park in the UK to join Marmaduke. A year on, the keepers are delighted to see how well both have hit it off and are even more delighted that they have successfully bred a new calf.

Tapirs are nocturnal mammals that are native to the tropics of South and Central America. They have a short trunk, which they use to grab branches and leaves or to help pluck tasty fruit.

Tapirs feed each morning and evening. They are excellent swimmers and can dive to feed on aquatic plants.

Dublin Zoo is open seven days a week from 9.30am to 6pm. For further information on news, events and opening times visit www.facebook.com /dublinzoo or www.dublin zoo.ie.