A Malayan tapir was rescued after a video showing the injured animal limping around Taman Bukit Rangin Perdana, Kuantan went viral on social media.
The Pahang Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) launched a search and monitoring operation after receiving information regarding the protected wildlife species.
Pahang Perhilitan director Yusoff Shariff said a trap was set up on July 12, before an adult male tapir estimated to be five years old and weighing 245kg was successfully captured the following day.
He said the injured tapir has since been sent to the Wildlife Rescue Centre in Sungkai, Perak for health checks and treatment.
“Based on our investigation, we suspect there may be another tapir in the area after finding traces of footprints.
“Following this, the trap remains active in the Bukit Rangin area,” he said when contacted on Thursday.
The incident gained public attention after a social media user uploaded a video of the tapir after encountering the injured animal while travelling to a running event.
The individual said several agencies were contacted before being informed that the matter fell under the responsibility of Perhilitan.
Following the viral post, Perhilitan officers contacted the user to obtain information about the location before carrying out the rescue operation.
The user later shared an update confirming that the tapir had been successfully found and rescued after a three-day search.
Perhilitan reminded the public not to approach or disturb wildlife if they encounter protected animals and urged them to immediately contact the department’s hotline at 1800-88-5151 for further action.
