Imagine a routine morning cycle turning into an exhilarating adventure as a majestic Malayan tapir dashes past you.
This extraordinary encounter became a reality for cyclist Pong Posadas, who shared his thrilling experience on Facebook.
The Unexpected Dash
It all unfolded on morning, September 10th, along the Punggol Park Connector Network (PCN). Pong Posadas, an avid cyclist, was enjoying his morning ride when the ordinary turned into something extraordinary.
As Posadas pedaled along, he suddenly heard a sound that he couldn’t quite place. In his own words, “I thought I was hearing a horse coming from behind me.” Intrigued and curious, he decided to slow down.
To his astonishment, what raced past him was not a horse but a Malayan tapir. This unique and unexpected sight left Posadas both shocked and amazed.
In his social media post, he exclaimed, “I just slowed down and let it pass and overtook me: It was a tapir!!!”
Posadas, understanding the need to maintain a safe distance from wild animals, continued cycling behind the tapir. He kept a respectful eight to ten meters away while capturing this moment on video.
A Glimpse of the Dash
The 36-second video footage shows the tapir sprinting along the PCN path. With its distinctive black and white coat, the tapir eventually slowed down and turned to glance at a startled Posadas, who decided to stop filming at that point.
Clearing Misconceptions
In the caption, Posadas made it clear that he was not chasing the tapir. He emphasized that the tapir was already running swiftly before it overtook him and that he maintained a distance of about 8 to 10 metres away from the animal while filming it.
Curious netizens inquired about the tapir’s fate. Posadas responded by sharing that the tapir had retreated into the water through an opening in the fences shortly after their encounter.
Source: Pong Posadas on Facebook