Rare Malayan tapir spotted near Thai-Malaysian border
A rare sighting of a Malayan tapir near the Thai-Malaysian border in Narathiwat province has caught the attention of Thai officials from the Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary.
Local villagers alerted officials yesterday, October 18, after spotting the tapir on October 16 at around 7pm, feeding on fallen rambutans for about an hour before retreating towards the border.
Residents in the Waeng area reported that this particular tapir has been seen for over a year, frequently moving between Thailand and Malaysia. The Malayan tapir, scientifically known as Tapirus indicus, is critically endangered and protected under Thailand’s wildlife conservation law and international CITES regulations.
The Malayan tapir is typically found in the dense tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia. These solitary, nocturnal creatures prefer habitats near water sources. Their distinctive trunk-like noses are used to forage for leaves, fruits, and shoots. Despite their unique appearance, which combines features of elephants and stocky bodies resembling pigs or bears, they are well adapted to their environment.
The presence of the tapir in community areas underscores the need to preserve forest corridors, ensuring safe migration for these rare animals, reported Pattaya News.
In related news, two newly discovered species of land slugs have been identified in Thailand, prompting further research on their conservation. The Animal Systematics Research Unit at Chulalongkorn University revealed these findings on September 23. Land slugs, also known as banana slugs in central Thailand, belong to the same group as snails but have lost their shells completely. These creatures are typically found in decaying leaf piles, under logs, or in areas covered with debris, in both natural and disturbed habitats.
In other news, the Coastal Aquaculture Research and Development Centre in Trang has successfully bred over 20 species of clownfish, commonly known as Nemo fish, this year, resulting in sales surpassing those of the previous year and generating nearly 1 million baht in revenue.
