Endangered Malayan tapir seen eating fruit & branches on wildlife cameras on Pulau Ubin

The tapir was spotted eating fallen fruit and tree branches.

Natalie Ong

November 30, 2024, 06:38 PM

A globally endangered Malayan tapir has been spotted enjoying island life on Pulau Ubin, eating fallen fruit and leafy branches.

According to a Nature in Singapore journal record published on Nov. 29, the animal was first detected on May 27 at 8:33 pm, in the eastern part of Pulau Ubin.

The tapir was filmed by chance in a study on the greater mousedeer conducted by George Mason University in the United States, the National University of Singapore (NUS), and the National Parks Board (NParks), reported The Straits Times.

It made its second appearance just over an hour later, at 9:49 pm.

The nocturnal creature was seen again on numerous occasions, appearing at a total of five of the 41 camera trap stations set up islandwide from the period of May to August.

On at least three separate instances, the tapir was seen feeding on fallen fruit and tree branches.

One sole female tapir

Based on its external genitalia, the tapir has been identified to be an adult female.

As the individual had the same signature curved scar on its left hindquarters, researchers concluded that the tapir spotted in the various images indeed belonged to the same individual.

The presence of the large megafauna species is a sign that extensively human-modified sites are now being reclaimed by wildlife, shared the researchers.

The National Parks Board (NParks) has also been rehabilitating degraded habitats on Pulau Ubin.

Other tapir sightings in Singapore

Listed as endangered throughout its range in Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand, Malayan tapirs are not native to Singapore.

However, there have been prior sightings of these "visitors," shared the Nature in Singapore journal.

The very first tapir documented on our shores was found dead in a quarry on Pulau Ubin in 1986.

In 2016, a tapir was photographed swimming in the sea off Changi.

More recently in 2023, tapir-like tracks were found near the southwestern coast of Pulau Ubin.

The animal was sighted in Punggol as well.