Rare Footage Captures Endangered Tapirs Mating in Wildlife Park

Picture courtesy of Daily News.

Remarkable footage has emerged from a wildlife research station showing a pair of endangered Malayan tapirs mating, a scene rarely witnessed in the wild.

The video, released by the Khao Nang Rum Wildlife Research Station, was captured by an automatic camera trap at Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary in Uthai Thani province.

Tapirs are among Thailand’s most protected species and are notoriously elusive, making sightings highly prized by nature enthusiasts. The footage is considered even more significant because it not only shows the animals pairing but also records their behaviour and unique vocalisations.

Researchers noted that the high-pitched calls heard in the clip are believed to be the first confirmed audio recordings of tapirs in oestrus.

Since being posted, the video has been widely shared on social media, attracting praise from conservationists and wildlife lovers who hailed it as a rare glimpse into the secret lives of one of Southeast Asia’s most endangered animals.

Huai Kha Khaeng is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to some of Thailand’s richest biodiversity, where conservationists continue their efforts to protect species threatened by habitat loss and hunting.

  Adapted by Asean Now from Daily News 2025-08-21