Keepers at an animal reserve have hailed the birth of an extremely rare Malayan tapir as a sign of hope for the endangered species.

The young male, named Nias, was born to mother Malacca and father Hunter at Port Lympne Reserve near Hythe in Kent.

Found in the rainforests and forests of south-east Asia, only about 1,500 to 2,000 Malayan tapirs are now believed to exist.

Their numbers have dwindled vastly, mainly due to hunting and widespread deforestation, including illegal logging for timber, of their habitat.

But Port Lympne Reserve has gained a reputation as one of Europe's most successful breeders of the endangered species. Nias is the eleventh Malayan tapir birth at the reserve since 1989.

Animal director Adrian Harland said: "Nias' birth is fantastic news not only for the future of Malayan tapirs but also for our dedicated hoofstock keepers. We're all really proud of our breeding success with this species."

Malayan tapirs are born after a gestation period of around 13 months, and are black with white spots and stripes.

As they reach maturity, their distinctive black and white colouring gradually grows in, providing camouflage in the moonlit forests of their native habitat.