Ronnie Tapir and the Capybara

Dudley Zoo, Dudley, West Midlands, England ~

February 16, 2010

Ronnie (a young lowland tapir) notices something . . .

. . . which happens to be a capybara nibbling on tree bark.

. . . and the capybara notices Ronnie.

Tapirs are curious . . . so let's check it out.

Hmmm. Interesting.

Even more interesting. I wonder what the capybara was eating. I have no idea if baby tapirs learn in the same way as baby bears, but I watched a movie in which it was shown that baby bears learned which foods were edible by smelling mom's breath while she was eating. I wonder if tapirs do the same thing, or if Robbie was just responding to an intersting odor?

It seems quite fascinating to the baby tapir . . .

. . . though less so to the capybara!

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Meena and Baby at Dudley Zoo

Dudley Zoo, Dudley, West Midlands, England ~
 February 16, 2010
Lowland tapirs Meena (the mom) and baby Ronnie

When we were in England last February, it was impossible not to stop in at Dudley Zoo in the West Midlands. I've posted pictures of the incredibly picturesque Dudley Castle, around which the zoo is built, but I have not begun to post my zoo and tapir pictures until today. We had an amazing visit, not only because there was a baby tapir, but thanks to zoo owners, staff, and especially tapir keeper Laura Robbins (whose hand you see here coaxing the tapirs out of their stall), this was one of the pleasantest zoo visits I've had in my many years of visiting zoos. The weather was perfect, the people delightful, and the tapirs, of course, too adorable for words. I took many photos and will be posting them here - hopefully several per week. I'll mix it up a little, but the main theme for the moment will be the tapirs of Dudley Zoo.

Please e-mail your photos and text if you would like to see them on this blog.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

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Visit to Dudley Zoo

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Please e-mail your photos and text if you would like to see them on this blog.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.
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More tapirs in the snow

I still don't know if you have to be a member of Facebook to see the photos (I expect so, maybe someone will tell me), but Laura Robbins has another fun album posted with some super nice pix of tapirs in the snow (snow album part 2) and the incredible Dudley Castle also in the snow. There are also meerkats, reindeer, a red panda and more. Have fun :) If you're not a Facebook member, it might be worth it to join.

Tapirs in the snow at Dudley Zoo, UK

These four photos of lowland tapirs in the snow (January 4, 2009) were sent to me by tapir keeper Laura Robbins of Dudley Zoo, West Midlands, UK. She said the two younger tapirs shown here didn't mind the snow at all and seemed curious about it, although the older female preferred to stay indoors. I guess she didn't enjoy the cold! The tapirs' names are Meena and Izzy.

When I looked up Dudley Zoo online, I found that it is located in a picturesque 11th Century Norman castle.

There's a lot going on at the zoo in terms of education and conservation. The zoo staff also took part in a somewhat startling fundraiser this year - the keepers came to work wearing just about what the animals wear. That is . . . well, maybe you should check out this BBC video story on the event! It's done all in fun, so put on a smile and tune in! A tapir is featured as well as the keepers!

Tapirs are make an appearance on Dudley Zoo's "News" page, along with other nice animals and even some humans.

Thanks for these wonderful photos, Laura. I'll be seeing you on Facebook! (This should link to a charming picture of Laura with one of her tapirs, although you may have to join Facebook to see it, I'm not sure.)

One more thing - these pictures of tapirs in the snow can also be seen in our Picasa Web album. Have fun!

~ Sheryl

Ernie the tapir on a Christmas Card

One of the special Christmas Cards I got this year was from Laura Robbins, tapir keeper at Dudley Zoo in England. The baby lowland tapir is Ernie, born in 2005, and was Laura's first baby tapir. I wanted to post the card for all to enjoy :) Sorry, I photographed it on a cluttered background, then I didn't want to crop off the edges. The newspaper clipping says something about gorillas.

Thanks, Laura! Thanks, Ernie! This was fun! And the ink is silver, too. I love it!!!

A tapir tongue at Dudley Zoo, UK

Tapir photo copyright Laura Robbins 2008

It's not just a tongue, but much of the tapir, too, of course. I have a weakness for tapir tongues, and I always have. Send me a pic of a tapir and its tongue and I'll probably post it before you can say, "No! Stop!" Anyway, this one is from Laura Robbins, a keeper (her charges include some lowland tapirs) at Dudley Zoo in the UK. Laura did not say "No, stop," when I wanted to put the photo online - fortunately, she said "yes." She also noted, "She's a little monster but she's so sweet, she's feeling a little sorry for herself now 'cause she has a few cuts on the face! Poor girl shes ok though." Laura is continuing coursework for her zoo career. Laura, thank you!

Here's another tapir tongue that took my fancy. Years ago, I took the photo and then painted from it.