Tapirs are ancient megafauna with specialised habitat needs that present unique welfare challenges in captivity. All four species are threatened; zoo populations play an important role in conservation.
Tapir welfare in captivity requires careful attention to their semi-aquatic and nocturnal lifestyle. Facilities without adequate water access limit a core behavioural need and impair thermoregulation. Solitary housing is generally appropriate for adults, but introductions for breeding must be carefully managed as tapirs can be aggressive. Obesity is a persistent welfare concern when feed is unrestricted, as tapirs have poor satiety regulation in captive conditions. Enrichment should challenge the prehensile snout through browse, buried food, and hanging items. Conservation breeding programmes manage genetic diversity across institutions to maintain the value of captive populations as a safety net for wild extinction risk.