At 23 years old, Chiquita the Brazilian Tapir is one of Adelaide Zoo’s most beloved long-term residents, and possibly one of its most unique.
Born at the zoo in 2002, Chiquita is instantly recognisable by her gentle nature, signature snout and love of long swims. Keepers describe her as “very tactile”, often nudging in for a scratch behind the ears or a friendly pat from her human carers.
“She’s incredibly affectionate with her keepers and really enjoys her daily interactions,” says Elise, one of Chiquita’s dedicated keepers. “It’s a real privilege working with such an ancient and fascinating species.”
Living relics of evolution
Brazilian Tapirs are part of a lineage that has remained largely unchanged for more than 20 million years. Despite their distinctive appearance, tapirs are most closely related to horses and rhinos. All three are classified as perissodactyls, or odd-toed ungulates — hoofed animals with an uneven number of toes.
“They’re really unique. Chiquita has four toes on her front feet and three on the back, which is pretty unusual,” Elise explains.
Their most iconic feature is undoubtedly their flexible, prehensile trunk, formed from the upper lip and nose. “She uses it to snorkel in the water, forage for food and explore her environment. It’s surprisingly strong and incredibly sensitive.”
Gardeners of the rainforest
In the wild, Brazilian Tapirs play a critical role in rainforest ecosystems. As they roam, they consume more than 100 types of plant matter and help disperse seeds in their dung. This behaviour earns them the nickname “gardeners of the forest”.
“They really are ecosystem engineers,” says Elise. “By spreading seeds across vast areas, they support rainforest regeneration and biodiversity.”
Brazilian Tapirs are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss, deforestation and hunting. Zoos SA cares for Chiquita and two other tapirs — including Arturo, a male Brazilian Tapir, and one Malayan Tapir — as part of a global conservation network working to protect the species.
A mixed-species lifestyle
Visitors to Adelaide Zoo can find Chiquita in a leafy, mixed-species habitat just opposite the Giraffes. Sharing her space are a group of curious Patagonian Cavies, also known as Maras, adding to the habitat’s charm and complexity.
“She loves her pond, though she does use it as a toilet, so we clean it regularly,” Elise laughs. “She’ll often dive straight back in for a swim once we’ve freshened it up.”
Chiquita’s daily routine includes foraging, enrichment activities like puzzle feeders or scent trails, and of course her favourite — snack time.
“She’s got a great appetite,” says Elise. “Fruit, veg, lucerne, native browse — she’s not fussy.”
Come say hi
Whether she’s lounging in the sun, paddling in her pond or nosing around for treats, Chiquita is a true ambassador for her species.
“We hope people walk away from meeting her with a greater appreciation for tapirs,” says Elise. “They’re ancient, important and really quite extraordinary.”
Come meet Chiquita at Adelaide Zoo and discover why tapirs are worth talking about. Your visit helps us continue vital conservation work in Australia and around the world.
