The Zoo de Aïn Sebaâ in Casablanca, Morocco, announced the birth of a Malayan tapir calf on May 20, 2026, the first time this endangered species has been born in the country. The calf, whose sex has not yet been determined, is healthy and under the care of its mother, according to zoo officials.
The birth is part of the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP), which coordinates breeding efforts for threatened species. The parents, a male named Bumi and a female named Sari, were transferred to Casablanca from European zoos in 2023 as part of a conservation partnership.
Malayan tapirs (Tapirus indicus) are listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, with fewer than 2,500 mature individuals estimated in the wild. They are native to the rainforests of Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Thailand, and Sumatra, and face threats from habitat loss and poaching.
Zoo director Dr. Fatima El Amrani stated, 'This birth is a significant milestone for conservation in Morocco. It demonstrates the importance of international cooperation in protecting endangered species.' The zoo plans to name the calf through a public contest in the coming weeks.
The calf is currently bonding with its mother in a private enclosure and is not yet on public display. Visitors can expect to see the young tapir later this summer, once it is more active and accustomed to its surroundings.
