A baby lowland tapir was born at lunchtime on Thursday 22nd October and Isle of Man residents are urged to help give the baby a name.

During this October half-term, visitors to the park are invited to submit name suggestions.

Tina Jauncey, Duty Manager at Curraghs Wildlife Park, has asked visitors to come up with name ideas for the new arrival.

She says, "The public are often asked to name the animals at the Wildlife Park and we thought that it would be good to share this good news.  Any visitor can ask for an entry form at the Park’s shop and we’ll announce the winner in mid-November."

Tapirs are distantly related to horses and are pregnant for 13 months. 

Duty Manager for Animal Collection Richard Halsall explains that babies have an unusual appearance when they are born: "Baby tapirs are always something special. They take so long to arrive and when they are born they are such an unlikely colour with a striped and spotted pattern.

"They must be one of the cutest babies we have here at the Curraghs Wildlife Park."

Curraghs Wildlife Park is open daily over half-term until Sunday 1st November.  From 26th to 30th October, entry to the park is half-price for all visitors.  Tapir baby naming forms are available in the park shop.

Pictured: A baby tapir similar to the Curraghs' new arrival.