Belize Zoo Celebrates World Tapir Day with New Calf Exhibit

World Tapir Day, an event dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of tapirs and their conservation, was celebrated yesterday, April 27. During the day, countries that mark the occasion share information about the crucial role Tapirs play in ecosystems and highlight efforts being made to protect them. The Baird’s Tapir, one of the four species in existence, is Belize’s national animal, making the celebration more important for the country. The Belize Zoo held a special event on Sunday to mark the occasion. Jamal Andrewin Bohn, Conservation Program Manager, Belize Zoo, spoke about the initiative, including the unveiling of the new exhibit featuring Grace, the two-month-old calf that was rescued and brought to the zoo. 

Festivities also included the cake competition to mark the seventh birthday of Sparks, a seven-year-old Tapir at the Zoo. Bohn says that he hoped attendees would leave with a greater appreciation for the fragile state the Tapir population is in.

World Tapir Day was celebrated under the theme “Guardians of Green: Saving Tapirs, Saving Forests”.