Minnesota Zoo’s ZOOMS STEM Design Challenge: Engineering for Malayan Tapirs
- May 24, 2022
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Develop an innovative enrichment for the Minnesota Zoo’s Malayan Tapirs
The Minnesota Zoo is known for its expertise when it comes to caring for and managing the Zoo’s four Malayan tapirs. JonHi (male) and Bertie (female) have successfully birthed several tapir calves, including 4-year-old female Indah and 2.5 year old male Tuah, who is often seen roaming the habitat with his mom. Due to the unique needs of these nocturnal and highly tactile animals, they often must alternate their time with one another on the habitat which requires consideration of logistics and a higher level of creativity when planning enrichments.
Therefore, Zookeepers are looking for enrichment ideas that help keep the Malayan tapirs engaged and curious in both on and off exhibit spaces while also encouraging natural behaviors such as swimming and foraging with their prehensile trunk. By helping to provide optimal care through tailored enrichment for each tapir, the Zoo ultimately hopes to ensure Malayan tapirs as a species can thrive with continued successful tapir births in the future.
Redesign the existing Malayan tapir habitat on the Tropics Trail
The endangered Malayan tapir species from Southeast Asia has been found at the Zoo since it opened in 1978. With fewer than 3,000 left in the wild, the Zoo’s commitment to conservation and care for these animals has been critical, with the successful births of 10 tapir calves!
While there have been small habitat changes in the 40+ years, exhibit planners and zookeepers are hoping this space might be reimagined to better accommodate the fluctuating numbers of tapirs in the Zoo’s care. They are also hoping a new design will provide distinct areas in the habitat offering the current four tapirs more choices for interactivity or privacy based on current challenges that exist due to their nocturnal nature, zig zag feeding behavior for browse, exhibit rotation schedule, and their swimming abilities. Similarly, due to their endangered status, the Zoo hopes to make visitors feel connected to the tapirs, learn about the threats they face in the wild, and take action to help this incredible species!
