Who can truly say when the love affair between Splash Damage and the noble Tapir first began? One way or another, we've all received noble service from the Tapir. It has lurked playfully in our forums. It has adorned our GDF Strategic Strike Missile. It has hidden within the text on the GDF Field Ops' visor. It even played a vital part in the MegaTexture technology itself.

Now it's time to give something back.

Several groups devoted to the conservation and protection of the splendid Tapir took note of our recent April Fool's hoax announcement, indeed a few have wondered aloud if we'd mind making Tapir Wars instead. We can't do that quite yet, but we can hoot, holler and make vigorous waving gestures towards a very splendid and special date. This Sunday, April 27th 2008, is the very first, inaugural and frankly long overdue International Tapir Day. We hope it's the first of many.

As overdue recognition of the sterling service our Tapir friends have done us in our work, Splash Damage are delighted to announce that we're donating a GPS collar to help keep track of one of our Tapir cousins in Costa Rica via the excellent SaveTapirs.org. Here in the office we're also making individual contributions to help this very deserving conservation effort, and we'd encourage any and all of our readers and players to do likewise. If you've enjoyed any of our games, or even if you didn't enjoy them, even if you hated them and/or have no idea what or why we are, please spare the time and coinage to make a contribution, no matter how small. Much better to give a tiny bit than let someone else capture all the glory of having made a Tapir's life better.

All hail the Tapirs! Long may they scuttle and snortle about their intact and hospitable habitats.