French Guiana Status of Lowland Tapirs (Tapirus terrestris) in French Guiana: A Preliminary Assessment

Abstract

French Guiana is the smallest country of the Guiana shield. It belongs to and is administered by France. The Guiana shield is considered to be one of the largest remaining blocks of rainforest and approximately 90% of an area of French Guiana is still covered by moist, upland forest. However, the country is now facing a dramatic increase in human activity. As part of a large-scale study aiming to assess the status of primates in the northern part of the country, some preliminary data have been collected on the status of lowland tapirs (Tapirus terrestris) in French Guiana.