Conservation Connection: Tapir

Friday, April 29, 2022
5:30 pm — 7:00 pm

Join Reid Park Zoo for a Conservation Connection with Chris Jordan of the Baird’s Tapir Survival Alliance, and the Reid Park Zoo Tapir Crew for a visit with the Zoo’s tapirs and an entertaining and informative talk on tapirs in the wilds of South America.

We will begin the evening with a visit to the Zoo’s tapirs in our South America Loop. Learn about Tessa and Tupi from the their animal care staff, watch as they enjoy enrichment and visit our education staff at the tapir artifact station.

We will move to the Conservation Learning Center at 6:00pm for light snacks and cash bar. and a fascinating presentation by conservationist and research scientist Chris Jordan of the Baird’s Tapir Survival Alliance.

The Baird’s Tapir Survival Alliance works to ensure the survival of the Baird’s tapir in the forest habitats they live in throughout South America. The main threats to the survival of Baird’s tapirs include unsustainable hunting, retaliatory killings for crop-raiding, habitat destruction, road development, and global climate change. Working in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama, the BTSA is working to reduce tapir poaching and develop conservation actions, such as patrols in areas of known tapir poaching, and environmental education in communities that coexist with tapirs.

Price:
$35 per person
Proceeds will benefit conservation programs the Zoo supports. This includes the Baird’s Tapir Project.

Schedule:
5:30pm – Visit with the Zoo’s tapirs
6:00pm – Appetizers, beverages and presentation from Chris Jordan, Baird’s Tapir Survival Alliance

Limited reservations available.

Did you know that Baird’s tapirs can use their snout as a snorkel? It’s true!

Their flexible snout is prehensile which means it can curl up for air as they submerge in water and wrap around branches to pull off leaves. Although these animals are fun to watch, they are currently listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.