April 27th
World Tapir Day
World Tapir Day was established to protect all members of this endangered species from extinction so that they can still be here for our children. The areas they inhabit are either forests or jungles, making them particularly vulnerable to deforestation. But the danger of their extinction goes further than the loss of another unique species; in fact, the loss of tapirs could threaten the entire remaining forests. As part of their natural habits, they also serve to spread seeds throughout the jungle and are one of the oldest species found in these areas.
There is a special creature that comes from Central and South America and can even be found in Southeast Asia. It looks a bit like a pig but also a bit like an elephant with a long trunk. We are talking about the tapir. This beautiful animal is currently on the endangered list because it has been over-hunted for its meat and skin. World Tapir Day raises awareness about these endangered animals and helps protect them for future generations.
The history of World Tapir Day dates back to the intention of protecting all members of this endangered species from extinction so that they can still exist for our children. The areas they inhabit are either forests or jungles, which makes them particularly vulnerable to deforestation. The danger of their extinction goes beyond just losing another unique species, as the loss of tapirs could actually threaten the remaining forests. They also serve to spread seeds through the jungle as part of their natural habits and are one of the oldest species found in these areas.
Many people are unaware of tapirs as a species, which means we could lose them without ever knowing they exist. These animals are so unknown that zoo visitors often mistake them for members of another species. This is even a problem in the areas where they live, which is why World Tapir Day was declared to help raise global awareness of this species.
Celebrating World Tapir Day can be as simple as picking up a book or searching for information online about the species and learning about the role they play in their natural environment. If you feel like taking an extra step in celebrating World Tapir Day, you can go outside and help raise awareness by organizing events at your local school or community.
You can also visit your local zoo and find out if they have an exhibit of tapirs, and if they do, you can help raise awareness of their presence and encourage people to visit the zoo and learn more about them. You can also donate money to organizations working to protect the jungles where tapirs call home.
