We’ve all seen elephants using their trunks to play at zoos or on videos online, but have you ever seen a tapir’s trunk?

The tapir, South America's largest land mammal, plays a key role in maintaining the biodiversity of forests and wetlands. Conservation biologist Patrícia Medici works to protect this elusive species.

The Malayan tapir is an endangered species, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources Red List. As of 2014, there were less than 2,500 in the world.

The baby tapir’s name is Sandía, which means “watermelon” in Spanish. Metro Richmond Zoo says the Baird’s tapir is an endangered species native to Mexico and Central America.