Many changes have occurred in Tiger River at the San Diego Zoo this year, one involving our young Malayan tapir, Chukai. At 18 months of age, Chukai had spent every waking moment with his mom, Rose, in Tiger River (see Bridget’s post, Tapir Calf Still Needs Mom). In June, however, Chukai was in for some serious excitement: he had a young female Malayan tapir named Annie waiting to meet him at the Zoo’s hospital. Annie came to San Diego in May, all the way from the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, Florida.

After her 30-day quarantine at the hospital, she was given a clean bill of health and was ready to meet her potential mate. We decided to introduce the two at the hospital instead of in Tiger River, because we wanted Chukai to pay full attention to Annie instead of wondering what his mom was doing in a nearby bedroom.

The morning of the introduction, Chukai walked right into the trailer that he would ride in to the hospital. Their first meeting went very well. There was some chasing and vocalizing, but thankfully no aggression. With each passing day, the two have become very close. Chukai, who used to be kind of a “mama’s boy” in Tiger River, has now become glued to Annie’s side. The pair now resides on Elephant Mesa, next door to our other adult Malayan tapir, a female named Chantek. The animal care staff that takes care of them are planning to introduce the three very soon, so be sure to stop by Elephant Mesa to say hello!

Bridget Mulholland is a senior keeper at the San Diego Zoo.

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