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Articles

Vol. 13 No. 16 (2004)

Using GPS Collars to Study Mountain Tapirs (Tapirus pinchaque) in the Central Andes of Colombia

Submitted
27 June 2025
Published
2004-12-01

Abstract

Probably the least known of the four tapir species is the mountain tapir (Tapirus pinchaque), which occurs, in the high Andes (2000-4800 m) of Colombia, Ecuador and northern Peru. The mountain tapir is the smallest of all the tapir species, and is currently threatened by hunting and the destruction of its habitat, tropical montane forests and páramos (i.e. Neotropical alpine plant formations). Understanding the factors determining the distribution and movements of animals around the landscape is a major objective for scientists, conservationists and natural resource managers alike. It is only through developing this knowledge that animal populations can be managed to meet conservation, sporting or natural heritage objectives. Researchers have long battled with the logistics of gathering information on the movement and distribution of individuals and populations, often relying on tedious visual observation or VHF technology to gather data. Development of Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) technology has offered the opportunity to overcome a number of these limitations.

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