Bergen County Zoo is mourning the loss of one of its most beloved residents
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Paramus NJ, the Bergen County Zoo is mourning the loss of one of its most beloved residents. Tonka, a Baird’s tapir who had been a fixture at the zoo for more than twenty years, passed away this week.
A Baird’s tapir is the largest land mammal in Central America, a solitary, herbivorous animal with a prehensile snout, barrel-shaped body, and stocky legs. It is also known as the “gardener of the forest” because it plays a vital role in dispersing seeds as it eats leaves, fruits, and twigs, promoting forest regeneration.
Tonka, who arrived in Bergen County in 2003 at the age of three, reached the impressive age of 25, significantly surpassing the average lifespan for a Baird’s tapir by over five years.
“His presence will be greatly missed by all at the zoo,” the Bergen County Zoo shared in an emotional Facebook post on November 24th.
A Life of Exceptional Care and “Tonka’s Toys”
Zoo staff provided Tonka with dedicated and exceptional care throughout his life, including a custom rotation of enrichment items from a special box affectionately labeled “Tonka’s Toys.” His long life at the zoo is a testament to the high standard of veterinary and husbandry care provided by the Bergen County Zoo team.
Tapirs, described as large, long-nosed mammals, often look like small relatives of elephants, but they are actually part of the same biological order as horses, rhinoceroses, and zebras. Baird’s tapirs are the largest animals native to Central America, inhabiting forests and wetlands from Mexico to Colombia.
Honoring Tonka Through Conservation
Tonka’s passing highlights the critical need for conservation efforts for his species. Baird’s tapirs are currently listed as endangered, with an estimated population of only about 4,500 remaining in the wild.
In Tonka’s honor, the Bergen County Zoo is launching a special fundraiser:
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Fundraiser: The zoo will be selling Baird’s tapir stickers in the gift shop for just $1 each.
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Purpose: All proceeds will be donated to the Tapir Specialist Group, a dedicated conservation organization working globally to study and protect all four species of tapirs.
You can still visit the zoo to remember Tonka and support this vital conservation effort. The Bergen County Zoo is open seven days a week, weather permitting, from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM, and admission is free.
216 Forest Ave, Paramus, NJ, United States, New Jersey
(201) 634-3100
[email protected]
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