Hertfordshire Zoo is delighted to welcome Fifi, a 20-year-old female lowland tapir, who has arrived as part of the European ex-situ breeding programme (EEP).
Fifi has settled into her new, purpose-built tapir house, kept at a comfortable 25°C, and has already won over her keepers with her big personality. While known for her fiery character, she is also affectionate and enjoys plenty of attention from the animal care team.
Her arrival marks an important step in the zoo’s conservation efforts. As existing tapirs Temoko and Tamara prepare to move on to support other programmes, Hertfordshire Zoo will welcome a male tapir to form a new breeding pair with Fifi. She brings valuable experience, having previously raised three calves and even becoming a grandmother.
Soon, Fifi will share her habitat with capybaras Mani and Maple, creating a mixed-species environment that encourages natural behaviours and offers a richer, more engaging experience for visitors.
Often called the “gardeners of the forest”, tapirs play a vital role in seed dispersal and maintaining healthy ecosystems. All four species of tapir are currently threatened with extinction, largely due to habitat loss and human activity.
Hertfordshire Zoo has a long-standing commitment to tapir conservation, supporting vital field projects in Brazil through the Iniciativa Nacional para a Conservação da Anta Brasileira, led by conservationist Dr. Patrícia Medici.
Tyler Whitnall, Director at Hertfordshire Zoo, said:
“Fifi’s arrival is a vital part of the European breeding programme and a positive step for tapir conservation. Good zoos play a crucial role in protecting threatened species and supporting conservation efforts worldwide.”
