16 reactions | It's World Tapir Day! Did you know we participated in...

Meet the Biologist saving tapirs. Known as the largest land mammal in Central America, the Baird's tapir may look like they're relatives of elephants, but they're actually closer kin to horses, donkeys, zebras and rhinos. See how Marina Rivero is working to develop an effective conservation strategy to protect the future of this unique species. | National Geographic Asia

60K views · 194 reactions | Brazilian conservation biologist Patrícia Medici has spent two decades studying tapirs, South America’s largest land mammal, in the Atlantic Forest, the Pantanal wetlands, and the Cerrado grassland. Read more: https://news.mongabay.com/2020/06/worlds-top-tapir-expert-prepares-for-unprecedented-amazon-mission/ | Mongabay.com | Facebook

1.5K views · 917 reactions | Water baby!  Tapirs can swim and often cool off in water. This South American tapir at the Emperor Valley Zoo enjoys the water jets each time his pond is being refilled! Tapir Fact! - Tapirs are related to horses and rhinoceroses! #Tapir #EmperorValleyZoo | Emperor Valley Zoo | Facebook

Tapirs are gentle, plant-eating mammals that live in the forests and grasslands of Central and South America, as well as Southeast Asia. They are distant relatives of horses and rhinos and are easily recognized by their short, flexible snouts, which they use to grab leaves, fruit, and other vegetation. Baby tapirs, known as calves, are born with beautiful white spots and stripes covering their dark brown bodies. These markings act as natural camouflage, helping them blend into the forest floor a