Tapir Celebrates Eight Years at Dortmund Zoo With Special Birthday Treat
Curry leaves and bananas – these were just some of the treats awaiting lowland tapir Fahéj at the Dortmund Zoo as she celebrated her eighth birthday. The zoo made sure the beloved resident received a little something extra special to mark the occasion.
A special gift box filled with a selection of the tapir’s favorite fruits awaited her.
“Fahéj clearly hoped for another portion,” the zoo commented alongside a video on Facebook, where you can see the tapir evident enjoyment of her delicious birthday surprise.
Feasts Fit for a Tapir Queen
Normally, Fahéj enjoys a diet primarily consisting of vegetables, lettuce, and leaves, so this fruity feast was “an absolute exception.” It’s safe to say Fahéj thoroughly enjoyed this special birthday treat.
Many fans of the Dortmund Zoo wished Fahéj all the best on social media. “Happy Birthday Fahéj! I hope you enjoyed your special day!” wrote one fan.
Another well-wisher wrote: “Happy birthday to the cutest tapir lady and hopefully she will delight us with her beautiful photos for a long time to come.”
Much to the delight of zoo guests, she has also become a regular fixture in the zoo’s daily life.
A Trunk Alike, Yet Distant Relatives
Tapirs might use their trunks in a remarkably similar way to elephants — for plucking leaves and twigs, and for feeling objects. But despite this similarity, they are not closely related.
These fascinating creatures belong to the same group as horses and rhinos!
Fahéj was born on November 28, 2016, at the Győr Zoo in Hungary, before moving to Dortmund Zoo on May 2, 2019. The team at Dortmund Zoo hopes she will celebrate many more birthdays to come.
How does the Dortmund Zoo use Fahéj to educate visitors about lowland tapirs and conservation?
## Dortmund Zoo Celebrates Fahéj the Tapir’s 8th Birthday
**Host:** Joining us today is Alex Reed, a zookeeper here at the Dortmund zoo. Fahéj the tapir turned eight yesterday, and it seems you pulled out all the stops for her birthday celebrations. Can you tell us more?
**Alex Reed:** Absolutely! Fahéj is a beloved member of our zoo family, and we wanted to make her eighth birthday extra special. We know she loves curry leaves and bananas, so those were definitely on the menu. We also prepared a special gift box filled with her favorite fruits – a real treat for a discerning tapir like Fahéj.
**Host**: It sounds like she had a wonderful day. Tapirs are fascinating creatures; can you tell us a little bit about Fahéj and her role at the zoo?
**Alex Reed**: Fahéj is a lowland tapir, and she plays a crucial role in educating our visitors about these incredible animals. Lowland tapirs are endangered due to habitat loss and hunting, so raising awareness about their plight is incredibly important. Seeing Fahéj up close and learning about her species helps people understand the need for conservation efforts.
**Host**: That’s wonderful. Any final thoughts on Fahéj’s birthday?
**Alex Reed**: We’re so happy to be able to provide Fahéj with a safe and enriching environment. Her birthday is a celebration not only of her life but also of the commitment we have to her species and the vital work we do in conservation.
