No Hand of God in sight as Diego unveiled at the zoo
Diego, a Brazilian tapir calf, during his first public appearance at Dublin Zoo yesterday
Friday November 07 2008
LIKE another famous South American of the same name, Diego the tapir has been unveiled to the world.
But unlike the new Argentinian football coach Diego Maradona, the three-week-old Brazilian tapir calf will not have his every move watched by the press.
Little Diego yesterday took his first tentative steps out into the Dublin Zoo enclosure he will call home for the next year at least.
The tiny spotted calf, the 15th offspring of prolific parents Hillary (23) and Marmaduke (25) will retain his distinctive spotted coat for his first four months.
And Dublin Zoo team leader Eddie O'Brien is delighted with the newest addition to the zoo.
"He is quite a character, he is suckling well and is already eating some solids," he explained.
"Already Hillary and Marmaduke have been mating again. All the calves have gone on to other zoos across Europe for breeding programmes, but these two are without doubt among the most prolific."
In the wild, tapirs are expected to live for about 20 years, but can live up to 30 in captivity. Their natural habitat is near waters in South American rainforests and their light brown coats give great camouflage on the forest floors.
Dublin Zoo has created a warm climate in a heated house and indoor and outdoor swimming pools to make the tapir trio feel at home.
- Colin Bartley
