Tapir previously thought to be extinct emerges in Thai forest

An endangered tapir previously thought to be extinct was spotted in a forest in southern Thailand.

Footage shows a rare Malayan tapir roaming in the undergrowth at the Khao Sok National Park in Surat Thani province on August 18.

The Malayan tapir is distributed throughout the tropical lowland rainforests of Southeast Asia, including Sumatra in Indonesia, Peninsular Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand.

In Thailand, the Malayan tapir was distributed across the western forests, including the Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, Thung Yai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary, and Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary. It has also been found in the country's southern woodlands, such as the Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary.

The Malayan tapir is a protected animal under Thailand's Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act.

It is the only extant tapir species living outside the Americas, and is classified as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List. It is also listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. The Malayan tapir is the largest of the four surviving tapir species, growing up to eight feet in length and weighing up to 1,200 pounds.

It is recognisable by the white fur covering its midsection, from its shoulders to its hind quarters. The lighter colour serves as camouflage, making the tapir more difficult to spot against the forest terrain.