Baird's Tapir (Tapirus bairdii) aka: Central American Tapir. Baird's Tapir is the national animal of Belize. They are a large primitive mammal that has remained unchanged for 35 million years. Based on their toe configuration, they are most closely related to horses and rhinos. The nose and upper lip are joined to form an elephant-like trunk. It is the largest and heaviest of the three American tapirs, and the largest land mammal found in the wild from Mexico to South America. Due to loss of habitat and hunting/poaching they are listed by USFWS as endangered, and by CITES I, IUCN as 'Vulnerable'. Jacksonville Zoo, Fl.