Meet Ume
More Ume stories
It’s tapir time! Ume, a spirited three-month-old Malayan tapir calf, is gearing up for a big adventure. She will make her public debut at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium’s Asian Forest Sanctuary this Friday—and guests are invited to watch her explore her new habitat. “She’s spicy!” said Telena Welsh, Curator at the zoo’s Asian Forest Sanctuary. “Ume is playful, curious, and full of personality—we can’t wait to see how she takes on this new world.” Born February 2, Ume…
And… it’s a girl! We’re excited to share that our rare and endangered Malayan tapir calf has been named Ume (pronounced oo-may), a name chosen by her dedicated keeper staff. Ume means plum blossom and apricot in Japanese. The calf will remain behind the scenes in the Asian Forest Sanctuary, nursing and bonding with her mother, Yuna, under the observation of the zoo’s veterinary and animal care teams. Zoo guests can look forward to seeing the young tapir calf later…
A rare and endangered Malayan tapir calf was born at the zoo on Sunday, February 2, marking only the second tapir birth in our 120-year history. The newborn, covered in distinctive white spots and stripes that resemble a tiny, walking watermelon, is considered healthy. Mother Yuna, 10, is also doing well, according to Head Veterinarian Dr. Karen Wolf. The calf’s father, Baku, is also 10 years old. The calf will remain behind the scenes in the Asian Forest Sanctuary, nursing…