Tapirs are often underestimated in zoo welfare discussions, yet their complex behavioral needs demand carefully designed habitats and management strategies.
Zoo tapirs require spacious, complex environments that allow natural foraging, water immersion, and solitary retreat. Key welfare indicators include activity budgets, stereotypy rates, body condition, and reproductive success. Social housing must be managed carefully given their solitary nature. Enrichment with browse, mud wallows, and varied substrates significantly improves welfare outcomes.