Department of Information and Tourism, Taipei City Government

The female Malayan tapir calf born at Taipei Zoo on the evening of August 17, 2026, celebrates her one-month milestone today (September 17)! To mark the occasion, keepers specially prepared a yellow-and-green striped watermelon so that the little tapir—whose brown-and-white striped coat resembles a watermelon—could "meet" another watermelon, while also enjoying her very first taste of the fruit. The keepers have nicknamed the calf "Treepeva," a playful name expressing that she is the cherished little one of her father "Mo-Shu" and mother "Putri." The name also echoes the Taiwanese pronunciation of "chhùi-pinn-bah", meaning "the flesh beside the mouth", following the naming pattern established by Putri and her first male calf, Treeda, meaning "thirsty."

To celebrate the calf's one-month milestone, the keepers prepared a refreshing, juicy watermelon. The brown-and-white striped tapir calf posed alongside the yellow-and-green striped watermelon, creating an amusing "pair of melons"—one brown and one green—for a memorable photo. Afterwards, the watermelon was shared by the mother and calf. At first, the little tapir merely sniffed the watermelon and cautiously touched it with her mouth. Only after the keepers cut the watermelon open and her mother, Putri, took several big bites did the calf begin tasting the pieces of fruit that had fallen to the ground, tentatively sampling the watermelon for the first time. The one-month celebration thus became a joyful moment of sharing a tasty treat between mother and daughter.

The calf is currently covered with white spots and stripes, making her look just like a dark brown watermelon. This distinctive coat pattern helps newborn Malayan tapir calves stay hidden in the wild. Before long, her coat will begin changing around the rump, and over the following months it will gradually transform into the adult coloration of a black front and white hindquarters, changing from looking like a watermelon hidden among the bushes to resembling a rock beside a stream. Keepers recently noticed that the calf has begun teething. In addition to nursing, she has started following her mother to explore and nibble on branches and leaves, and has also been observed eating leafy vegetables. Exploring food alongside her mother not only satisfies her curiosity but also helps her gradually learn about her surroundings and the foods she will eat as she grows. For now, the calf remains in the zoo's off-exhibit animal care area, please stay tuned to the zoo's baby animal updates for more news about her growth.