Zoo Zlín to build new 46 million CZK tapir habitat

Zoo Zlín has announced plans to construct a new exhibition called Nusantara, designed to provide a modern habitat for endangered Malayan tapirs. The project, located in the zoo's Asian section near the Mu-Shin Japanese garden, is inspired by the atmosphere of Indonesian islands and is expected to open in 2027.

The new facility will include both indoor and outdoor spaces, addressing the current inadequacy of the former elephant pavilion where the tapirs are presently housed. Beyond tapirs, the Nusantara area is intended to showcase other Southeast Asian wildlife, such as anoas, kalong, Asian reptiles, and porcupines.

The total cost of the project is estimated at approximately 46 million CZK (excluding VAT). Funding includes an 8 million CZK grant from the Zlín Region, which approved the subsidy on September 14, alongside contributions from the city of Zlín. The initiative aims to improve breeding conditions for the Malayan tapir, a species with an estimated wild population of only 2,500 individuals.