Article Contributed on: 3/6/2008 10:04:52 AM
Denver Zoo staff is welcoming one of its newest residents, a Malayan tapir, who came from the Belfast Zoo in Ireland. Named Bengkulu, after a province in Indonesia (a part of this species' habitat), zookeepers fondly call the new arrival Benny. To get into the spirit of St. Patrick's Day, and to celebrate Benny's Irish origin, zookeepers gave the 2-year-old male some of his favorite green treats, broccoli, kale and cabbage.
Benny has been spending some time behind-the-scenes getting used to his new surroundings, but can now be seen exploring his new digs in the Pachyderm building. Zookeepers say he is doing well adjusting to life in Denver and they will eventually introduce him to the zoo's resident female tapir, Maggie. Although Benny just turned 2, he is already almost full grown, weighing in at approximately 675 pounds!
Malayan tapirs are the largest of the four tapir species and are the only tapir native to Asia. Once found throughout Southeast Asia, they now inhabit only the rainforests of the Indochinese peninsula. Malayan tapirs are classified as vulnerable by the World Conservation Union (IUCN) due to habitat loss.