2007: Two major Steps for Tapir Conservation in French Guiana

Abstract

The Guianas host a single contiguous forest block that represents more than one third of remaining Neotropical forest coverage, with expected good conservation status of several large mammals, including the Jaguar, the Giant Otter, and the Lowland Tapir. Conservation policy remained nevertheless for long insufficient to protect large mammal populations, including tapirs. unsatisfactory, with evident lack of ambition and means for implementation on the field for distinct reasons. Guyana and Suriname have faced decades of politic, economic and social difficulties, relaying biodiversity conservation at lower priority levels. In contrast, French Guiana has a high economic level. But due to its status as a French administrative unit, many judiciary decrees related to nature conservancy remain either inappropriate for application on the territory, or legally inapplicable. Also, divergent ambitions between local (i.e., French Guianan) authorities and national (i.e., French) government agencies complicate the political implementation of a conservation vision for the country. Two major milestones have nevertheless been reached in 2007: the National Park, a new protected area in the south of the country, and a decree prohibiting the sale of several game species,
including the Lowland tapir.