Social and Reproductive Behavior of Captive Malayan Tapirs' (Tapirus indicus): Interactions with Maternal Experience and Environmental Conditions

Abstract

Malayan tapirs are listed as endangered and are bred in captivity under governmental management. The success of captive breeding programs varies and the underlying causes are unclear. Here, we investigate how tapir reproduction is affected by previous breeding experience, enclosure type/size and visitor numbers so that appropriate steps can be taken to achieve self-sustaining captive populations. Data on social and reproductive behaviors were collected from six tapirs (three males, three females), from different breeding centers in Peninsular Malaysia for 18 weeks. Results revealed that social and reproductive behavior of both sexes was significantly influenced by social and environmental conditions. Larger enclosure size tended to increase social and reproductive behaviors, whereas high number of visitors reduced initial interaction between males and females. No specific breeding month was confirmed; however, reproductive behaviors were highest in April. Overall, this study contributes to a better understanding of the relationships between social and reproductive behaviors, and captive environments on Malayan tapirs. In future, frequency of sexual interactions should be monitored regularly to identify animals exhibiting below-average frequency and who might, therefore, be prone to reproductive difficulties.

Figure 1

Mean frequency of male identification behaviors grouped into month. Month April had the highest frequency of identification behavior compared to other months.

Figure 2

(a) Mean frequency of initiation and vocal behaviors influenced by female reproductive status of either pregnant or non-pregnant, both of the significant behaviors showed higher in frequency in non-pregnant female and its resident male. (b) mean frequency of male courtship and identification behaviors and initiation behavior were influenced by female reproductive history of its parity, nulliparous female and its resident male showed highest frequency of all the three significant behaviors.

Figure 3

(a) Mean frequency of male courtship and identification behaviors and initiation behavior influenced by enclosure size (small = 728 m² & 765 m²; large = 1189 m²), enclosure with largest space showed highest mean frequency, (b) mean frequency of initiation and vocal behaviors influenced by types of enclosure, the pairs showed more frequent of both significant behavior in artificial enclosure compared to semi-natural.

Figure 4

Frequency of initiation behavior influenced by number of visitors. Graph showing large frequency of initiation activity took place when number of visitor was between 0–50.