Narathiwat —
On October 18th, 2024, Thai officials from the Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary were alerted by local villagers about a rare sighting of a Malayan tapir in the Narathiwat province, near the Thai-Malaysian border.
The tapir was spotted on October 16th at around 7:00 PM, feeding on fallen rambutans for about an hour before retreating towards the border. Residents in the Waeng area have reported seeing this tapir for over a year, and it is believed to move between Thailand and Malaysia frequently.
The Malayan tapir, scientifically known as Tapirus indicus, is classified as critically endangered and is protected under Thailand’s wildlife conservation law and international CITES regulations.
Malayan tapirs inhabit the dense tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia and are primarily solitary creatures, known for their nocturnal behavior and preference for areas near water sources.
They use their trunk-like noses to forage for leaves, fruits, and shoots. Despite their odd mix of features—trunk-like noses similar to elephants and stocky bodies resembling pigs or bears—they are well adapted to their environment.
The tapir’s presence in community areas highlights the importance of preserving forest corridors to ensure safe migration for these rare animals.
This article originally appeared on our sister website The Pattaya News.
