malaytapir.org
conservation project
July 5, 2014
MALAY TAPIR CONSERVATION CENTRE (MTCC)
MTCC is located in Sungai Dusun Wildlife Reserve in the northern tip of Selangor state, which is approximately 5000ha in size and comprise of, primarily, peat swamp and lowland dipterocarp forest. MTCC’s facilities are ideal for most aspects of ex-situ conservation. There is a central stable surrounded by large outdoor pens, which retained animals have access to at any time of the day. There is also an observation platform, which allows for researchers to conduct behavioural studies without disturbing the animals. Furthermore, there are two large fenced natural habitats (5ha and 50ha) of which the 5ha enclosure is currently utilised for behavioural ecological studies under semi-natural conditions.
Currently, the MTCC is home to 12 tapirs (five males and seven females), which is half of the captive population in Malaysia. Seven of these are individuals displaced from various states in Peninsular Malaysia. Currently, the MTCC keeps the tapirs healthy and disease free and pair up males and females at the right time for breeding. This can be predicted through the use of hormone profiles and ultra-sonography. Furthermore, the MTCC investigate possible diseases via blood and serum analysis and, in collaboration with Copenhagen Zoo, conduct a DNA study that looks into tapir’s genetic makeup through DNA fingerprinting.
The central stable with surrounding pens provides ideal facilities for behavioural
studies. The observation platform is to the right in the picture.
© Carl Traeholt / Malay Tapir Conservation Project
The MTCC offers ideal facilities to visiting researchers and students interested in tapirs as well as many other types of wildlife and plant species. There are two fully equipped guest bungalows available to visitors, and a campsite that can accommodate up to 40 people.
Apart from tapirs, MTCC also manages a collection of False Gharial, Tomistoma schlegelii, slow loris, Nycticebus coucang and Malayan porcupine, Hystrix brachyura for captive breeding with a view of reintroducing them back to Sungai Dusun Wildlife Reserve or other natural areas where the species have become depleted.