Adorable snaps of the day's baby wildlife creatures!
Title: Joel Sartore's Captivating Encounter with a Tiny Malayan Tapir
Joel Sartore's Unforgettable Photo Ark MomentWhenever people ask me about my favorite Photo Ark image, I always smile and reply, "The next one." But there's one photo that stands out in my mind—the baby Malayan tapir at the Minnesota Zoo.
One day, while photographing other species, some persistent zookeepers convinced me to capture a picture of their newborn Malayan tapir. I hesitated, as I'd already shot an adult Malayan tapir at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo years ago, and I didn't want to delay finishing the Photo Ark cataloging all the baby animals.
Still, the keepers insisted, so we trekked across the zoo to a maternity stall in the tapir holding area. As I rounded the corner, I encountered mother and child, standing innocently in a straw-filled room. The mom, named Bertie, was eating, while the baby, named Amirah, gazed at me. My heart melted at the sight of this tiny creature, no bigger than a loaf of bread.
The Wonders of Nature's Camouflage
What struck me most about the baby tapir was its striking patches of black and white. Though Bertie was famous for her half-white, half-black appearance, Amirah was as dark as the night and covered in white spots and stripes. I was amazed by this brilliant disguise Mother Nature had orchestrated.
In the wild, when lying on a forest floor speckled with sunlight, this marking allowed the baby tapir to virtually disappear. Until large enough to defend itself, this camouflage provided excellent protection against predators.
Cuteness plays no role in wildlife survival, but in the tapir's case, it certainly won my heart that day.
The brief shoot took only a couple of minutes, and I left the zoo still smiling, feeling incredibly fortunate to have witnessed such a rare and precious moment. Little did I know that this encounter would become one of the Photo Ark's most popular images.
The Joys and Mysteries of the Photo Ark
Ever since that fateful day in 2011, I've reflected on the staggering wonders I've witnessed through the Photo Ark project. From vibrant babies to ancient relics, each animal I encounter fills me with awe and amazement.
I've come to understand that there are various ways young animals can thrive in this hostile world. They can blend in, take off, or rely on their parents for protection. Each method represents an ingenious adaptation honed over countless generations. If it works, it stays; if not, it's gone—the essence of natural selection.
More Animal Adaptations
Several animals use similar adaptations to survive, like the baby Malayan tapir.
- Camouflage: Like the Malayan tapir, numerous species have patterns or behaviors that help them blend into their surroundings, making them difficult for predators to detect.
- Parental Care: Strong parental investment—providing food, protection, and teaching survival skills—is prevalent in mammals and birds.
- Group Living: Some species choose group living for collective protection from predators, leveraging their herd's vigilance.
- Rapid Flight: Many forest and grassland animals can flee quickly into dense cover or water when threatened.
- Cryptic Behaviors: Animals may freeze, hide, or use scent-marking to avoid detection.
- Adaptation to Habitat: Utilizing habitat features—such as burrows, tree holes, or dense vegetation—for shelter and protection.
Final Thoughts
From adorable concealed tapirs to swift, elusive grassland dwellers, wild animals have evolved a variety of strategies to survive in challenging habitats. As the Photo Ark continues, I'm continually inspired by the remarkable resilience of the natural world—even as we humans inch closer to pushing it to its breaking point.
Fun Fact: Did you know Malayan tapirs are now listed as endangered, facing threats from habitat loss and human activities? Your support of conservation efforts can make a real difference in their future!
- The fascinating malayan tapir's camouflage, a combination of black and white patches, allows it to camouflage in the wild, providing outstanding protection against predators until it grows large enough to defend itself.
- Joel Sartore, caught between photographing different species and capturing the Malayan tapir's baby, experienced a rare and precious moment in the home-and-garden setting of a maternity stall at the zoo.
- Despite the importance of camouflage in ensuring survival in the wild, it's the tapir's adorable appearance that left an immediate impression on Joel Sartore during his encounter with Amirah, the baby Malayan tapir.
- In addition to the ingenious adaptation of camouflage, many species rely on parental care, group living, rapid flight, cryptic behaviors, and adaptation to habitat to ensure their survival in various challenging environments—showcasing the incredible diversity and resilience of nature's creations.
