This Riverbanks Zoo resident has a boyfriend

There’s a new male in town. And he’s here to help boost the population of his endangered species.

Say “hello” to Pulau, a 21-year-old Malayan tapir who recently moved into the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden as part of an effort by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to help protect his species, according to a news release.

Pulau, who came from the Ellen Trout Zoo in Texas, will be joining 21-year-old Daniella at the Riverbanks Zoo, the release stated.

“Tapir populations in the wild are threatened and decreasing,” said John Davis, curator of mammals at Riverbanks Zoo. “Without the conservation efforts of ... accredited zoos and aquariums like Riverbanks, these animals would have a much greater risk of extinction.”

Tapirs are mostly solitary animals, commonly found in the rainforests of Southeast Asia, according to the release. They typically way more than 700 pounds and are most closely related to horses and rhinos.

They communicate with their trunks and high-pitched whistles that resemble the screeching sound of car brakes, the release stated. Tapirs also snort stomp when they are about to defend themselves.

This story was originally published December 5, 2017 at 11:08 AM with the headline "This Riverbanks Zoo resident has a boyfriend."