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Articles

Vol. 20 No. 28 (2011)

Abundance and habitat use of the Baird's tapir (Tapirus bairdii) in Frontera Corozal, Lacandon Jungle, Chiapas, Mexico

Submitted
10 July 2025
Published
2011-06-01

Abstract

The accelerated loss of preferred habitat for the Baird's tapir (Tapirus bairdii) and its excessive hunting have placed its populations in danger of extinction throughout its range. In Mexico, the species inhabits some wild areas in the south and southeast; however, knowledge about it is still limited. Over a period of six months, 375 km of communal lands of the Chol indigenous people in the Lacandon Jungle were covered. Indirect records of the tapir's presence were obtained. Relative abundance in the area was determined (considering the average number of tapir tracks/km). Data on habitat preferences in the region are also provided. Considering the scarcity of records documenting more than just the presence of the species in Mexico, this research formalizes one more and adds to the few existing ones for this area, providing information that will advance knowledge of the species for its conservation.

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