The male was six months old and already the size of a large dog. He was calm, adventurous and very friendly. It is rare to meet babies because often they are guarded by their mothers. I was filled with delight as I got to feed, play, pet and spend time with a creature that I may have gone my whole life without seeing. They are beautiful, curious creatures full of energy and innocence.
This moment reminded me why I want to be a scientist! I got to see the positive impact that rehabilitation could have on wild animals, and I no longer was just reading about working with animals in books. I was directly involved in getting my hands dirty and I loved it!
In between the red soils and deep, green tree canopy you will find the tapir. In South America, you can also find the tapir in grasslands, which have less trees. However, there is a species called the woolly tapir that lives in the high altitudes of the grandest mountain ranges in South America, the Andes. This tapir has a thick layer of fur to protect from the cold and is one of the smallest tapirs in the world.
Argentine landsacpes are full of waterfalls, crystalline pools and expansive lakes. If there is water, a tapir is not far away. They love being in the water and they are very skilled swimmers. They love diving down to feed on plants below the water's surface. They often are seen bathing themselves in the mud. Not only do they use water to relax, but tapirs often can dive into water when they are being chased by a predator.
