Video: Edinburgh Zoo's baby Tapir takes first paddle

EDINBURGH Zoo's new Malayan Tapir calf has enjoyed his first paddle just days after his birth.

Born six days ago, the spotty and striped male calf weighed 24lbs (11kg).

Karen Stiven, Hoofstock Keeper at RZSS Edinburgh Zoo, said: “The tiny calf is doing very well and, whilst he is staying close to his mother, he has been rambling around a bit on his small shaky legs to explore his surroundings.

“On Monday afternoon he took his first tentative steps into the outdoor paddock and was even brave enough to take a few splashes in the pond.”

She added: “The birth of this calf is very significant as he will go on to play a role in the conservation of this rare species as, once he is old enough, he will join the European Endangered Species Breeding Programme to help augment a safety-net population for this species, ensuring they do not go extinct.”

The calf will likely double in size in the next few weeks, eventually growing to weigh as much as 250kg to 320kg (550 lbs to 700 lbs).

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