Meet the Belize Zoo’s Newest Rescue, Grace the Tapir Calf!

Earlier this month, a concerned citizen found a struggling baby tapir near La Gracia Village in the Cayo District. A wildfire had swept through the area, and amid the chaos, this tiny calf was found alone, her mother nowhere in sight.

Her rescuer saw that she was alone, weak, and struggling, so he acted quickly to remove her from harm. He then reached out to the Belize Wildlife & Referral Clinic so the tapir calf could get the urgent care she needed. Once she was stable, she made her way to the Belize Zoo, where she will grow up in a safe and loving environment.

The Belize Zoo named her Grace. Director Celso Poot told News Five, “Thankfully we have experience in raising tapir calves. We have raised two in the last couple of years that were born right here in the zoo. So we will take from that experience and apply it to Grace’s situation.”

According to the zoo, Grace is still developing; her little teeth are just beginning to come in.