Soona or Melancia? Vote to name San Diego Zoo’s newest Baird’s tapir calf

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The San Diego Zoo is weighing names for a female Baird’s tapir calf that was born earlier this month, and they are asking for input.

The calf and her mother, Luna, can now be seen in the Elephant Odyssey area, where they are sharing space with giant rodents known as capybaras.

At birth, the coats of tapir calves have patterns and lines that zoo officials say are meant to provide camouflage in the wild as their mothers usually keep them hidden while they forage for food. The design has been compared to that seen on a watermelon. Gradually, their coats will transform into a dark red-brown color.

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“The calf is starting to get ‘zoomies’ and likes to mouth and play with leaves and food, even if she’s not eating it,” the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance shared in a news release Tuesday. “They spend their time grooming, nursing and laying together.”

As far as their role in nature, tapirs, which are native to Mexico and Central America, play a crucial role in maintaining the biological diversity of tropical forests. Zoo officials explained that they are seed dispersers and also help to fertilize the forest floor. This promotes the growth of new plants.

The Baird’s tapir is listed as Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species due in part to challenges like being hunted for sport in Costa Rica, habitat loss due to farming, cattle grazing, and food supply disruptions from palm oil and rubber plantations.

The zoo’s wildlife care team put together a list of names to honor the calf’s native landscapes. They are now asking the public to vote for the best name, all are listed below:

— Melancia (The Portuguese word for “watermelon.”)

— Ixchel (After the Mayan goddess of the moon.)

— Hayetzi (The Mayan word for “moon droplet.”)

— Soona (An Otomi name that means “moon.”)

Votes can be cast at online.

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