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RAMAT GAN, Israel — An Israeli safari has announced the birth of a tapir, an endangered species native to South America.
The calf was born Saturday to parents Passiflora and Meir and is said to be doing well, according to the Times of Israel.
Zookeepers said Meir, the father, was jealous of the unnamed baby and is being kept in a separate enclosure for the time being. Both the mother and elder sister are providing the baby with care and attention.
Zoo trainer Gali Burkovich told the Daily Telegraph all the zoo employees were very proud of the tapir.
"He was very healthy, he weighs five kilos. He's following her, he's nursing. It makes us all very proud and hopeful that we can continue breeding these endangered animals successfully," she said.
The Brazilian tapir is the second-largest land mammal in South America, after the Baird's tapir. They can grow to be 5.9–8.2 feet long and typically grow to weigh about 500 pounds.
