“New Year Surprise!” Tapir “Checks-In” Hotel In Melaka, Surprising Staff And Guests

A Malaysian tapir recently showed up as a “guest” at a hotel in Melaka, causing quite a stir.

Photo via BERNAMA

The hotel’s general manager, Datuk Chuck Kassim said the animal was roaming around the hotel and was spotted by a guest on Sunday (1 January).

“It was a true New Year’s surprise,” he told The Star.

The Melaka Fire and Rescue Department’s spokesperson said that the tapir was sedated around noon by game rangers from the Wildlife and National Parks Department (PERHILITAN), with officials from the Melaka Zoo also present. 

Ahh, we’re glad that the tapir is well taken care of! 

If you don’t know what they are… tapirs are usually found in the forests of Central and South America as well as South East Asia. 

They are currently listed as either ‘Vulnerable’ or ‘Endangered’ in the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species as they are becoming rare in their habitats mostly due to habitat destruction and poaching.

So, if you see a Tapir or ANY wild animals roaming around, don’t panic, try to stay away from them and call the authorities ASAP!