25 May 2023

RFI: Tapir at Taman Negara, other wildlife Peninsular Malaysia

Hello,

I will be in Peninsular Malaysia in the second half of June.

Any information about recent presence / absence of tapirs at Kumbang hide in Taman Negara? Any practicalities of getting there, permission, avoiding noisy crowds etc.?

Any other current info of more interesting wildlife in the region of Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Selangor, Taman Negara, Fraser’s Hill?

best,

Jurek

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15 Comments

  • 26 May 2023
    PandaSmith

    Here is our trip report. Contact Andrew and he will have some up to date info most likely. https://www.cokesmithwildlife.com/trip-report-malaysia-2022

  • 26 May 2023
    nicogaidet

    Hello,
    I’d like to take this opportunity to also ask whether the November-December period is also favourable for tapir sightings at Kumbang hide in Taman Negara? Thanks. Nicolas

  • 26 May 2023
    stevebabbs

    There’s no way of avoiding noisy people. When I was last there I basically told them to come in from their party under the hide and be quiet. One of the guides tried to argue that they never came until late. They weren’t happy but having tried several times over 25 years I wasn’t in the mood for discussion. A tapir came shortly afterwards; I passed my binoculars around and we all parted friends in the morning. We saw two later.

    1
  • 27 May 2023
    tomeslice

    Great report, Coke! And good tip about renting the hide all to yourself.

    Steve, what month of the year were you there?

    Cheers,
    Tomer

  • 27 May 2023
    JanEbr

    My friend was there two months ago, the hide where everyone sees tapirs (as we did in 2018) has collapsed and was not accessible during his visit.

  • 28 May 2023
    Luluzookeeper

    Kumbang hide is indeed unfortunately closed, and the repair will take some long months (years ?) according to the staff i met ..

  • 30 May 2023
    tomeslice

    What?! This totally sucks!!
    Does anyone have any contacts in Malaysia to try to influence, raise awareness or even raise money for the refurbishment of the hide?
    I would chip in..!!

  • 30 May 2024
    RobJansen

    Anyone with more recent info about the Tapir hide? Is it open again, costs, can one still reserve only one day in advance etc?

  • 30 May 2024
    mikerichardson

    I plan to visit Malaysia in October so I contacted Andrew Sebastian (the guide Coke Smith used) with the same questions. Apparently the Kumbang Hide is still closed for repairs, with no date for when it will reopen. There is another hide where tapir can be seen, although it’s not as reliable. Andrew was visiting the alternative hide several weeks ago, although he has not yet contacted me with any updates.

    With no other sites for Malayan Tapir anywhere, I’m reluctant to leave Taman Negara out of my itinerary. However, I’m struggling to find a reason to visit until the Kumbang Hide has reopened.

  • 31 May 2024
    CarlosBocos

    The hide still closed

  • 10 September 2024
    Jane Kempler

    Did you hear back from Andrew as to whether the alternative hide was a reliable option? I’m currently looking at a potential trip to Malaysia and Singapore in February next year. Thanks very much.

    • 11 September 2024
      mikerichardson

      Unfortunately Andrew did not update me as promised, I suspect because he did not see any tapirs at the alternative hide. I will be in Malaysia in late October, and will be visiting Taman Negara for a couple of days. I will report back should I receive any new information while I’m there.

      2
      • 16 November 2024
        Maguitosss

        How was your visit? Did you see the tapirs? I am in Malaysia at the moment, going back to Deramakot next week but i could escape to Taman Negara a couple of days since i will stick around until January

    • 12 September 2024
      Asanoth

      I was in Taman Negara in October 2023. Most guides and Andrew as well advised to go to Cegar Anjing, that the chances for animals are the same, including the tapir. There was just two of us and a guide. I saw tracks at the salt lick. Between 6 pm and 2 am, I saw nothing, not a single vertebrate except for two bats resident in the tower and one or two geckoes. Maybe I was just unlucky.

      1
      • 16 November 2024
        mikerichardson

        With the Kumbang Hide still closed I decided to postpone my visit to Taman Negara for when I’m next in Malaysia. Without access to the hide I believe the chance of seeing a Tapir is very slim, and there were other areas of the country that were more appealing to me (e.g. Bukit Fraser). Hopefully the hide will reopen soon as it remains the only reliable place to see this fantastic mammal.

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