Tapir spotted galloping along Punggol PCN

A man cycling along the Punggol Park Connector on Sunday (Sept 10) morning was overtaken by an endangered Malayan tapir.
Despite tapirs being "extremely rare" in Singapore, this is the second such sighting this year. A previous sighting, also at Punggol, was reported on July 22.
Read more: tdy.sg/3PydR0B
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[@patriciapchew5994]

I have written the “ Tony Tapir” series of 4 children’s books aimed at children aged 9 to 12 and I find this news most encouraging . The first book has been reprinted and is also available in Mandarin and Hanyin from tomorrow.The book will also be available in Bahasa from January. These tapirs are rather short-sighted and roam in the night.The ones that are seen here in Singapore are the Malayan Tapirs. Like their other cousins in Brazil and ther places, they are endangered, although some animal specialists classify them as vulnerable.

[@geog101a4]

Good luck with your books! I am excited to see authors writing about tapirs, because there aren't very many tapir characters in children's books -- even though they are rare and fascinating animals. I think the most famous one so far is the (real-life) Claudius, who lived at Gerald Durrell's zoo -- Durrell described the time Claudius got out of his pen and as you described, ran around on a rainy night, stepping all over someone's flower beds.

[@patriciapchew5994]

Thanks @geog102a4 for your encouragement. The national library ordered a sizeable quantity of my mandarin books after the book launch a fortnight ago, due to the thrust on promoting the mother tongue. I very much doubt it was because of the tapir. But I thank God that there is some interest in these creatures .

[@tf-ok]

Should have called it "Taufiq Tapir"

[@stormcat9628]

I didn't know there were tapirs here in Singapore!

[@anthtan]

Is this a good sign or a bad sign? Does it mean nature is doing better or worse?

[@geog101a4]

There could be a bunch of different factors. Some biologists suggest that animals become more visible if they are having to live in urban areas due to there being less forest and rural habitat available, because of land use change. I've also heard people saying that any population increase can mean that animals are spreading out trying to find food and space. It would be nice if there were more tapirs being born in that region -- I don't know enough about the wildlife situation there to tell if that's happening -- but I suspect that isn't the case, or there would be more sightings of juveniles etc.
But on the bright side, at least there are still tapirs relatively nearby. I hope that, if more habitat can be set aside for them (like a migration corridor) they might be able to at least move through the area and have adequate food.

[@sibathras4002]

Pity that now day their place is take up by house. At bt batok I ever saw mouse deer.

[@jordanstreet1718]

Adorable!!!

[@logicrule]

Maybe it swam from Malaysia

[@Reza.El-Fatih]

So cute ah 😂❤

[@amelintng8938]

Not too bad,,,wild animals enjoying our park 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@mizguny8993]

Poor bby lost his way😢😢😢

[@kltoms82]

This made me scream laughing

[@nor_j]

When their natural habitats make its way for hooman housing