UK-based tapir has become oldest in the world

A Malayan tapir who calls the UK home has officially been recognised as the oldest of his kind in captivity in the Guinness World Records.

Kingut has won a coveted spot in the famous book at the age of 41 years and 45 days, having already far exceeded a tapirs usual life expectancy of between 25 to 30 years.

The loveable black and white mammal brought in his 41st birthday in January with a cake made from his favourite treats, including bananas, apples and carrots.

And it appears hes not slowing down any time soon as he is still in good form and loving life, according to his keeper in the 600-acre Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve, Kent, according to Guinness World Record News.

Alice Elliot, tapir keeper at Port Lympne, said theyre proud of Kingut who is one of the most memorable animals she has ever worked with, due to his character.

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She said: Kingut is definitely the friendliest and most people-oriented of our tapirs and gets lots of fuss every day.

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If he sees any of the other tapirs getting attention, he gets jealous!

Alice added: He is one of the most well-behaved and reliable tapirs… Some of the tapirs can be quite stubborn, but hes always happy to cooperate.

She added that he does have a mischievous streak, though, and had been known to chase the occasional keeper across the paddock in his younger days.

The Indonesian native arrived in the south of the UK in 1992, at the age of 14, when he was named Kingut.

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He was born to parents Gemba and Darti at Ragunan Zoo in Jakarta on January 27 1978, with the original name of Huta.

Over the next 27 years the lovable mammal moved between Port Lympne and sister park, Howletts to take part in breeding programmes for endangered animals, managed by The Aspinall Foundation.

In 2010, he made his final move back to Port Lympne, where he has been enjoying his retirement ever since.