Rare baby Malayan tapir born at zoo in Washington

Check out this super cute baby Malayan tapir which has been born at a zoo in Washington in America.

Keepers say they are "thrilled" by the arrival of the little one, which was born covered in unique white spots and stripes.

They added that both mother and baby are doing very well and that they're keeping a close eye on them.

It will still be a few weeks before staff will be able to find out whether it's a boy or girl.

It's only the second tapir birth in the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, Washington 120-year history.

It's a huge boost for conservation efforts, with Malayan tapirs listed as endangered on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list of threatened species.

Their populations are under threat due to habitat loss caused by deforestation and human development.

Malayan tapirs are native to south-east Asia and play a crucial role in their ecosystems by scattering seeds and maintaining forest diversity.

Telena Welsh from the zoo said: "We're thrilled to witness this incredible moment and watch the calf grow."

Keepers at the zoo added that both mum and baby are doing really well.

Despite their appearance, tapirs are most closely related to horses and rhinos, rather than pigs or elephants

The calf will receive a check-up from vets once it has bonded with its mother.

The zoo estimates the little tapir weighs around 9 kilograms, which is a big contrast to adults who can weigh more than 400 kilograms.

According to the zoo, tapir calves are often affectionately compared to watermelons due to their unique blackish-brown colour with white stripes and spots, which help them blend into their surroundings.

Adult tapirs have distinct black heads and long snouts with varying colours along their bodies.