Man Slammed for Riding Wild Tapir in Viral Video
Man Criticised for Sitting on Wild Tapir in Forest
A viral video showing a man sitting on a wild Malayan tapir has caused widespread anger on social media, with wildlife lovers and netizens condemning the act and demanding action from authorities.
The footage, posted by Facebook user Atras Haji Yahya, captures a man—believed to be a foreign worker—perched on the back of the endangered animal as it rests on the forest floor. The tapir appears calm but is visibly weak, raising concerns about its condition.
“This Is Exactly What You Shouldn’t Do”
Atras, the original poster, didn’t hold back in criticising the act.
“This is exactly what you should not do when you come across wild animals,” he wrote, urging the public to either walk away or immediately contact PERHILITAN (Malaysia’s Department of Wildlife and National Parks).
He stressed that such animals should not be touched, disturbed, or used for social media content—especially if they appear distressed.
Concern for the Tapir’s Health
The calm behaviour of the tapir led many to believe it was sick or suffering from heat exhaustion.
“This tapir is not behaving normally. It might be having a heat stroke. A healthy wild tapir would never allow a human to come that close,” commented Dhia Putera, whose post received over 100 likes.
Others shared similar encounters, noting that wild tapirs are typically shy and avoid human contact. Ufuk Timur, a Facebook user, speculated the animal could be dehydrated due to Malaysia’s dry season.
Disturbing Comments, Urgent Reminders
While many voiced their concern, some social media users took the opportunity to joke about the situation, with inappropriate comments like turning the tapir into “belengas” (a traditional dish).
These reactions were met with sharp backlash, with others calling for immediate rescue and medical checks by wildlife authorities.
“If you see something like this, don’t film it—call PERHILITAN right away,” said Zaidi Juara, reminding the public that social media views are not worth endangering wildlife.
Tapirs Are Endangered and Protected by Law
The Malayan tapir is classified as an endangered species, with fewer than 2,500 left in the wild. They play a vital role in forest ecosystems by spreading seeds and maintaining biodiversity.
In Malaysia, harassing or harming protected wildlife is a serious offence with heavy penalties under the law.
For now, the condition and location of the tapir in the video remain unknown. But the video serves as a sobering reminder: not everything needs to go viral—sometimes, the right thing to do is put the phone down and call for help.
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