Tapirs are large, shy herbivores found in South America and Southeast Asia. Their welfare in zoo settings depends on appropriate water access, social management, and night exhibit design.
Tapir welfare in zoos is closely tied to water access. Without adequate pools for bathing, defecation, and thermoregulation, tapirs show increased skin problems, stereotypic behaviour, and stress indicators. Their crepuscular nature means that standard daytime zoo hours may not align well with their natural activity periods — nocturnal exhibits or early morning keeper sessions that allow the public to observe active tapirs improve both welfare and visitor experience. Tapirs are sensitive to social incompatibility — pairs that do not get along require careful management of shared spaces and retreat options. Diet variety including browse, fruit, and root vegetables is more welfare-positive than hay-only feeding.