Here's why:
* Difficult to Count: Tapirs are elusive creatures, often living in dense forests. Counting them is a challenging task.
* Habitat Loss: Malayan tapirs are threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation, making it harder to estimate their numbers.
* Limited Research: While there have been studies and conservation efforts, research on their population size is ongoing.
However, we do know that:
* The Malayan tapir is listed as "Endangered" on the IUCN Red List.
* Their population is declining, and their numbers are estimated to be in the thousands, with most living in Southeast Asia.
What's important to understand is that the Malayan tapir is a critically endangered species, and it's crucial to support conservation efforts to protect them.