The Taipei Zoo debuted a brand new baby on Saturday: Limulu, the Malayan Tapir calf. Attracting a throng of well-wishers, this little lady is hoped to become an ambassador for living harmoniously with nature.
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Like a scene from a picture book, little Limulu (莉姆路) lay peacefully next to her mother, with her brown and white dappled appearance matching the trees on her afternoon debut. Looking like a large fuzzy watermelon, Limulu the Malayan tapir’s debut at Taipei Zoo over the weekend was hot and lazy, but attracted many admirers nonetheless.
Some onlookers woke up early for a chance to see her before the heat of the day, and others have been following her family for a decade. What they all have in common is their excitement at meeting the newest member of the family.
And there is a lot to be excited about! In addition to her adorable appearance, Limulu is growing up well, even faster than her older brothers and sisters. In fact, now at almost two months old, Limulu is already nearly 45 kilograms.
Her personality, according to attending Tropical Rainforest Conservationist Liu Tsung-yi (劉聰毅), is clingy and curious. In fact, she eagerly follows both her mother and keepers around in the most lively and outgoing tapir fashion.
Her name, “Limulu”, also reflects the love of Taiwanese people: while it was picked by an online poll, it includes the last character of her mother’s name (a tradition for the family) and the character for tapir. The zoo hopes she will live a peaceful life, as an ambassador for living harmoniously with nature.
Limulu is likely to change to her adult pattern in the next six months. So those wishing to see her limited-time children’s look will have to hurry down before it’s too late.
Amanda Stephens for RTI News
