Malayan Tapirs: Our Malayan tapirs will not be viewable on Tuesday, January 28th, and Wednesday, January 29th, while their habitat undergoes maintenance.
Land of Lemurs Walkthrough & Outdoor Gorilla Amphitheatre: The two outdoor animal viewing areas are closed for the season. Lemurs and gorillas will be viewable in their indoor habitats.
African Savannah Yard: Our Hartmann’s mountain zebras and ostriches are off-view while we complete exciting upgrades in the African Savannah Yard, including the construction of a new Savannah Barn for the animals. Our giraffe tower will continue to be viewable throughout the project.
Thank you for your understanding.
Announcements
22 JANUARY 2025 (Calgary, AB) – Big news from the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo today as they announce an exciting development – the zoo’s four-year-old female Malayan tapir, ‘Sempurna’, is expecting! If all goes well, this will be the first offspring for both Sempurna and 23-year-old sire ‘Tanuck’—marking a significant milestone for the pair and a crucial step forward for the species.
“This pregnancy is a huge win for Malayan tapir conservation—and we’re thrilled to support Sempurna through this next phase in her journey,” said Jennifer Godwin, Animal Care Manager (Savannah/Asia) at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo. “Tanuck and Sempurna are beloved ambassadors for their species, and the successful birth of a calf would be an important step forward in the conservation of their endangered population. Plus, let’s be honest—tapir babies are basically tiny, walking watermelons, which are extremely adorable!”
Although pregnancy is always a sensitive time, the zoo remains cautiously optimistic about the potential for a successful birth. The zoo’s dedicated Animal Care, Health, & Welfare team is closely monitoring Sempurna, ensuring she remains healthy, comfortable, and engaged throughout this exciting journey towards motherhood.
The typical gestation period for Malayan tapirs is approximately 13 and a half months. In preparation for the birth, Sempurna’s dedicated care team has been working on ultrasound and blood draw training with her to ensure they are able to carefully monitor both her and the calf as the pregnancy progresses. Her care team reports that she is very responsive to the training sessions and seems to enjoy the gentle scratches and rubdowns she receives!
Based on observed breeding in 2024, Sempurna is expected to give birth between mid-July and mid-August. So, fans of this rare and at-risk species will need to exercise some patience until the official baby watch, which the zoo has dubbed #WatermelonWatchYYC, commences later this year.
As Sempurna is approximately halfway through her pregnancy, visitors may notice both physical and behavioral changes in her. She’s been showing a touch more ‘sass’ lately toward Tanuck. This increased assertiveness is a natural behavior often observed in tapirs during pregnancy, so you may start to see them separated more often as she gets closer to giving birth. Meanwhile, she is also starting to show physical signs of her pregnancy, including a growing waistline! The zoo’s Animal Care, Health, & Welfare team is closely monitoring Sempurna and supporting her with increased feedings, to ensure she has everything she needs at every step of her journey.
Wild Malayan tapir populations are rapidly declining due to widespread habitat loss, poaching and human-wildlife conflict. With fewer than 2,500 Malayan tapirs remaining in the wild, this pregnancy brings renewed hope to a species at risk of extinction and underscores the critical conservation efforts needed to secure the long-term survival of these remarkable animals.
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For more information contact:
Alison Archambault
Director, Brand & Engagement
403.232.7766 | 403.919.9482 | mediarelations@calgaryzoo.com
For more than 30 years, the internationally accredited Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo has been a leading authority in wildlife conservation, reintroducing threatened species to the wild and empowering communities to conserve natural resources to positively impact both the environment and local inhabitants.
While our work is global, our roots run deep in the Albertan conservation community. Sitting on 125 acres in the heart of the city, we operate one of the oldest charities in Alberta, the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo – a not-for-profit charitable wildlife conservation organization that works to fight the extinction of plants and animals worldwide. In addition to the zoo, we proudly operate the Archibald Biodiversity Centre (ABC), Canada’s largest conservation breeding and research facility. Nestled on 330 acres in the Albertan prairies, the ABC is a stronghold for biodiversity and a temporary home to some of Canada’s most iconic species-at-risk.
The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is passionate about inspiring and educating generations of visitors about the importance of biodiversity and conservation. Together, we will continue to be a force of nature for making the world a wilder place. Learn more at WilderInstitute.org and CalgaryZoo.com.
