Rabat – The Zoo de Aïn Sebaâ in Casablanca has announced the birth of a baby Brazilian tapir (Tapirus terrestris), a rare and significant event that underscores the institution’s ongoing conservation and captive breeding programs for endangered species.
The newborn arrived on May 16 after a gestation period of approximately 13 months.
It is the offspring of a female named “Trompette,” of French origin, and a male named “Bily,” originally from Italy.
With this birth, the total number of Brazilian tapirs housed at the zoo now rises to four.
The Brazilian tapir, a species whose populations are declining in the wild across South America, is considered rare in captivity in Morocco and is exclusively hosted at the Ain Sebaâ Zoo, giving this birth particular importance for biodiversity preservation efforts.
In a statement to the MAP news agency, the director general of the zoo, Mohamed Mgharfaoui, said the newborn is under continuous veterinary supervision to ensure healthy development and proper care during its early stages of life.
He added that the birth represents a key milestone in the zoo’s broader mission to protect endangered species, highlighting the effectiveness of its breeding and animal care programs. Mgharfaoui also noted that the zoo has recently recorded other successful births, including species such as the cervicapra antelope and the Dama mhorr gazelle.
Yassine Binou, zoological coordinator at the park, emphasized the significance of the event given the tapir’s rarity and the challenges it faces in the wild, adding that it reinforces the quality of care and habitat management provided by the institution.
Veterinary technician Sofia confirmed that the young tapir is in good health and is being closely monitored on a daily basis.
She noted that the veterinary team is carefully tracking its behavior, feeding, and overall development, stressing that the early months are crucial for its survival and growth.
