San Diego Zoo Asks for Help Naming Endangered Tapir Calf

Storyful

25 June 2024 at 2:03 pm

The San Diego Zoo has asked for the public’s help in naming an endangered tapir calf born at the zoo.

Footage taken by the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA) and posted on Tuesday, June 25, shows the adorable calf walking around her habitat with her mother, Luna, in San Diego, California. The calf, which is an endangered Baird’s tapir, was born on June 3.

“The calf is starting to get ‘zoomies’ and likes to mouth and play with leaves and food even if she’s not eating it,” the SDZWA said.

According to the SDZWA, tapirs play a crucial role in maintaining the biological diversity of tropical forests by dispersing seeds on the forest floor. Possible names for the tapir calf include Melancia (Portuguese for “watermelon”), Ixchel (the Mayan goddess of the moon), Hayetzi (Mayan for “moon droplet”), and Soona (an Otomi name meaning “moon”).

The SDZWA encourages people to vote for one of the names above on this website. Credit: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance via Storyful

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