Malayan Tapir Twin Birth

History was made when Malayan tapir (Tapirus indicus) twins were born in Wildlife Conservation Centre, Sungai Dusun, Selangor, Malaysia. This is the first ever reported twin birth of this species worldwide. And the most amazing thing was, they were born 13 days apart!

The female, the big sister, was born on 27 May 2007, named May, obviously. While her brother was born on 8 Jun 2007, named Junior.

Junior still retain his spot and stripes, whereas May's coat had changed to that of an adult tapir. This is not just because Junior is younger by 13 days, he was relatively less healthy than May since birth, until he was about 4 months old.

Here's May catching a nap. You can still see her stripes and spots vaguely here.

Junior is trying to get a taste of grass. Curious little thing. However, tapirs are generally browsers that feed mainly on leaves, and not grazers that eat grass like cattle.

They were still so attached with each other when they were 1 year old. Both are resting with their dam in the night stall, to escape from the heat of noon.