DENVER, CO – Denver Zoo officials are trying to figure out what killed both of the facility’s endangered Malayan tapirs after the animals died within a short timeframe of each other.
JohHi, a 16-year-old male, and Rinny, an 18-year-old female, were the zoo’s only Malayan tapirs. Their deaths have left staff members heartbroken and searching for answers about what went wrong.
The Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance announced Friday that its Animal Care and Health teams are conducting a thorough investigation into the deaths. Officials said they’re working “to determine the causes and any potential connection in accordance with our standard protocols.”
Zoo administrators were quick to reassure the public that whatever killed the tapirs doesn’t appear to pose a broader threat. “There is no risk to other animals, staff, or guests,” the zoo stated, adding that they plan to share the investigation’s findings once it’s complete.
Malayan tapirs are distinctive-looking animals, sporting a black-and-white color pattern that’s earned them the nickname “oreo tapirs.” They’re the largest of the four tapir species, capable of growing up to 8 feet long and 3.5 feet tall at the shoulder. Adults can weigh more than 700 pounds.
The herbivores are native to Southeast Asia, where habitat loss and hunting have pushed them toward extinction. The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists Malayan tapirs as endangered, making the loss of JohHi and Rinny particularly significant for conservation efforts.
In captivity, tapirs can live up to 30 years, meaning both animals still had potentially many years ahead of them. The zoo hasn’t released specific details about when each animal died or what symptoms they may have exhibited beforehand.
Denver Zoo has asked for patience as investigators work to piece together what happened to their tapirs.
