The tapir deserves a higher profile

WHEN a baby elephant, rhino or giraffe is born in Dublin Zoo there’s a huge response from the media.

The baby appears on television and its picture adorns the pages of newspapers.

Diego, the little Brazilian tapir, who was born in October, attracted rather less attention. The cult of celebrity extends to the animal kingdom and, when it comes to public adulation, the ‘big five’ animals steal the limelight. Tapirs aren’t well known and few people would be able to describe one. This is a pity because the ugly duckling of the hoofed fraternity is an interesting character who deserves a higher profile.