3-month-old ‘walking watermelon’ set to make debut at Washington zoo. See her
An endangered baby animal that looks like a “walking watermelon” has spent months with her mom learning new skills at a Washington zoo.
Now, the public will finally get a chance to see her in person.
Ume, a Malayan tapir calf, will make her debut Friday, May 16, at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, the zoo said in a news release.
Visitors can see her in the Asian Forest Sanctuary as she explores the enclosure with her 10-year-old mom, Yuna.
“Viewing times may vary depending on the pair’s daily routine, so guests are encouraged to be patient—mom and baby might be napping or taking a break out of sight,” the zoo said in the release.
She was born Feb. 2 with bright white stripes and speckles, quickly winning over the hearts of social media users, McClatchy News reported.
The zoo said she couldn’t make her public debut until she learned how to swim.
Ume then spent time splashing away until she “passed swim class with flying colors!” the zoo said in a May 14 Facebook post.
As Ume gets older, her stripes and dots will fade completely.
What to know about the Malayan tapir
The Malayan tapir is the largest of the four tapir species, according to the Tapir Specialist Group.
This species is found in Asia in southern Myanmar and southern Thailand.
Tapirs are herbivores and have long and flexible noses for snagging leaves and fruit, the zoo said.
When they are babies, they are born with white stripes and dots to blend in with their environment.
The “mostly nocturnal” animal typically lives alone but may live in a pair.
Zoo officials said the tapir is endangered due to disappearing forests, farms, logging and being hunted by humans.
This story was originally published May 15, 2025 at 2:40 PM with the headline "3-month-old ‘walking watermelon’ set to make debut at Washington zoo. See her."
