Tapir Conservation, is the Journal of the IUCN SSC Tapir Specialist Group (TSG), and aims to provide information regarding all aspects of tapir biology, natural history and conservation.
Iridium/GPS Telemetry to Study Home Range and Population Density of Mountain Tapirs in the Rio Papallacta Watershed, Ecuador
Section: Articles Keywords: Home range, Iridium collars, Mountain tapir, Population density Subjects: Ecology and evolution, Conservation Mountain tapirs are one of the least studied of the large mammals. It wasn’t until the 1990’s that the first radio telemetry studies were done on the species and huge gaps still exist in the literature regarding mountain tapir population dynamics. In light of recent technological advances in telemetry equipment, it was decided to execute the current study in order to obtain a clearer picture of mountain tapir population ecology. Between June 2012 and February 2013 two female and four male mountain tapirs were captured and equipped with Iridium/GPS collars. The collars recorded between 92 and 278 days of data resulting in 132 to 324 locations. Mean home ranges were estimated using four different methods: minimum convex polygon (MCP), 648 hectares (ha); Kernel 95% and 50%, 397 and 32 ha; nearest-neighbor convex hull (k-NNCH), 310 ha; Brownian bridge movement model (BBMM), 686 ha. Tapir population density was estimated by extrapolating mean tapir home range size (Kernel 95% and k-NNCH) to the size of the study area (25400 ha), both considering and disregarding home range overlap. Using Kernel, a population density of one individual/357 ha and one individual/245 ha was calculated. Using the k-NNCH method densities of one individual/325 ha and one individual/307 ha were calculated.
Copyright (c) 2013 Tapir Conservation https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Immobilization of Baird’s Tapir (Tapirus bairdii) Using Thiafenthanil Oxalate (A-3080) in Combination with Xylazine and Ketamine
Section: Articles Keywords: A-3080, Immobilization, Opioids, Baird's tapir, Thiafentanil Subjects: Reproduction captivity and health A wide variety of drug combinations have been used to immobilize captive and free ranging tapirs. Most of these anesthetic procedures combine opioids with alpha 2 agonists, cyclohexamines or neuroleptic agents. Thiafentanil oxalate (A3080) is a synthetic opioid that has been used in several species of non-domestic hoofstock. It´s effects have not been previously described on Baird´s Tapir (Tapirus bairdii). This study reports the use of a combination of thiafentanil oxalate (1 mg/100 kg), xylazine (1 mg/kg) and ketamine (0.5 mg/kg) (TXK) in two adult tapirs, and a combination of thiafentanil (1 mg/100 kg) and xylazine (0.70 mg/ kg) (TX) in another adult tapir. The individuals receiving TXK were reversed with naltrexone (10 mg/mg thiafentanil) and yohimbine (0.125 mg/kg), while those receiving TX was reversed with naltrexone (10 mg/mg thiafentanil) and atipamezole (1 mg/10 mg xylazine). The induction time was 3-5 min, the recovery time was 4-5 min and the total time of anesthesia was 40-120 min. Physiological parameters are similar to those reported in studies that include opioids in the anesthetic protocol. The TX combination produced low oxygen saturation values that recquired suplemmentary oxygen. In conclusion, TXK and TX provided a fast and smooth induction and recovery time. Additionally TXK is an effective and safe option to immobilize wild and captive animals with poor body condition.
Identifying an Effective Treatment for Corneal Ulceration in Captive Tapirs
Section: Articles Keywords: Cornea, Eye, Tapir, Treatment, Ulcetation Subjects: Reproduction captivity and health Captive tapirs often exhibit debilitating eye disease, frequently in the form of corneal ulcerations. Despite the fact that this is a well-known condition, only few treatments have been established for this disease in tapirs. Here we describe a treatment protocol that successfully treated corneal ulcers and prevented loss of eyesight in captive-held South American tapirs. Two female South American tapirs (Tapirus terrestris), held at Huachipa Zoological Park, were diagnosed with corneal ulcerations. They were treated with an eye gel containing deproteinized calf serum along with antibiotic eye drops. This is a treatment that has been validated in other animals and in humans. Improvement was visible already within 48 hours. Within one to two weeks, the ulcerations had disappeared.
Tapir Conservation Trundles Forward in Belize
Section: Short Comunication Keywords: Community engagement, Zoos, Conservation Subjects: Conservation It is safe to say that 2013 is the “Year of the Tapir” at The Belize Zoo & Tropical Education Center. As the institution enters its 30th year, it continues to strive to remain dynamic and consistent in its wildlife conservation work. Efforts focused on the Central American Tapir (Tapirus bairdii) are no exception. These efforts began with the reimaging for a section of the Zoo, now designated as “Tapir Town.” Here, visitors are able to view and interact with several of the resident tapirs at the Zoo, and appreciate new education signage and displays, aimed at building awareness about the natural history and biology of the tapir species, as well as the threats they face in Belize. These displays include an intact skeleton of an adult specimen on exhibit in a glass case, horse and tapir skull displays as a nod to their sister species, and several information boards drawing attention to wildlife-vehicle collisions.
First Report of Positive Serological Response to the Hemoparasite, Babesia caballi, in Mountain Tapir
Section: Short Comunication Keywords: Babesia, Infectious diseases, Cattle, Tapirus pinchaque, Ecuador Subjects: Reproduction captivity and health Six mountain tapir (Tapirus pinchaque) were captured and fitted with Iridium / GPS collars for ecological research in Cayambe National Park, Ecuador. One of the wild tapirs captured in this study, named Dante, tested positive results for antibodies specific to the Babesia caballi, identified by Laboratorios Livex (Quito, Ecuador). This is the first report of positive serological response to this hemoparasite in the blood of this tapir species. This hemoparasite could have been transmitted by one of a great diversity of tick species identified by Pesquera et al. (2013) in the study area. It appears that Dante overcame the piroplasmosis caused by this hemoparasite and apparently has maintained a healthy condition; his movements were monitored for 259 days after taking the blood sample. A rescued semi captive mountain tapir calf, named Leo, in the Antisana Ecological Reserve was found to be infected with Babesia sp. hemoparasites. A second examination confirmed this infection and also identified the presence of Anaplasma sp. The University of Chiapas veterinarian Dr. Dario Marcelino Güiris (pers comm), however, believes that the diagnosis of anaplasmosis could actually be the presence of Howell-Jolly bodies in the bloodstream, for which he has recommended further analysis for confirmation.
Camera-trap Records of Mountain Tapir in Puracé National Park, Colombia
Section: Articles Keywords: Camera traps, Colombian massif, Tapirus pinchaque, National Natural Park, Monitoring Subjects: Ecology and evolution, Conservation Mountain tapir (Tapirus pinchaque, Roulin 1829) is one of the four species that represent the Tapiridae family in the world. It is distributed in the Ecuadorian, Peruvian and Colombian Andes. It is currently classified as an endangered species by the IUCN Red List and gaps in population ecology and natural history still exist. The gathering of information contributing to the local management of mountain tapir populations is essential. Puracé National Park (PNP) is a protected area located in a massif where the Central and Eastern Andes Mountains of Colombia merge. Through camera-trapping approach we have updated the records of the mountain tapir and reported daily activity and capture frequency for the area.
Section: Editorial Keywords: Editorial Subjects: Editorial Here we are with another excellent issue of Tapir Conservation! As you all know, the IUCN/SSC-affiliated Tapir Specialist Group is a global group of tapir conservationists dedicated to conserving tapirs and their habitat through strategic action-planning in countries where tapirs live, information sharing, and through educational and communication outreach that demonstrates the importance of tapirs to local ecosystems and to the world at large. Our group continues to grow stronger and more effective each year and I would like to give you a brief update about our most important activities and outcomes in 2013. The TSG continued to make steady progress on the development of National Action Plans for Tapir Conservation in several tapir range countries in South and Central America and Southeast Asia. TSG Country Coordinators and Regional Committees are working tirelessly towards developing their plans and implementing the priority actions and goals developed for each plan.
Nuevo registro de Tapir centroamericano (Tapirus bairdii) atropellado en el Noroeste del estado de Campeche, México
Section: Short Comunication Keywords: Roadkill, Roads, Campeche, Record Subjects: Conservation El tapir centroamericano (Tapirus bairdii) es uno de los mamíferos silvestres más grandes de Latinoamérica, y una de las especies amenazadas de los trópicos, por tal razón se encuentra catalogado como en peligro de extinción en la Red list de la UICN y se le considera en el Apéndice I de CITES desde 1975. En México está en peligro de extinción debido principalmente a la pérdida y fragmentación de su hábitat hábitat, y a la cacería sin control. Esta nota trata del nuevo registro de un individuo de Tapirus bairdii (atropellado) en la región centrooeste del estado de Campeche, donde no se tenía datos de la presencia reciente de esta especie.
Baird’s tapirs Tapirus bairdii in Nicaragua
Section: Articles Keywords: Baird's tapirs, Biological corridor, Nicaragua Subjects: Distribution, Conservation Nicaragua has a high level of biocultural diversity that has brought many researchers to the country for centuries. There exist many reports about their studies and explorations that describe Nicaraguan cultures, languages, and ecosystems. Nonetheless, terrestrial fauna has been significantly under-represented in these investigations and subsequent publication. Due to this, there is a great deal regarding Nicaraguan fauna, especially for rare species such as the Baird’s tapir, that remains unknown to international conservationists. The IUCN range map for this species is a case in point. In this article we clarify the historical and contemporary status of the Baird’s tapir in Nicaragua through a literature review and a preliminary discussion of our long-term ecological research using camera trap and track surveys along the Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua.
Distribution and conservation status of the Baird’s tapir in Panama
Section: Articles Keywords: Panama, Tapirus bairdii, Camera traps, Field surveys, Ocurrence Subjects: Distribution, Conservation The Baird’s tapir Tapirus bairdii, listed as endangered on the IUCN red list, ranges from South Eastern Mexico to the Gulf of Guayaquil in Ecuador. Within this area, the Isthmus of Panama is a key area because it connects populations of Central America and South America with each other. Tapirs may persist in some forested areas of Panama, but their presence has not been verified in most of the potential distribution areas. No studies of wild Baird’s tapir have been undertaken in Panama outside of Barro Colorado Island, where the species was studied more than 30 years ago. Basic information on tapirs’ occurrence and distribution is necessary to evaluate the suitability of protected areas for the conservation of viable tapir populations in Panama. Here, we assess the current distribution and conservation status of Baird’s tapir in Panama. We compiled occurrence data from 30 sites scattered across the forested areas of Panama, covering nine distinct regions.
Section: Editorial Keywords: Editorial Subjects: Editorial I hope this issue of Tapir Conservation finds all of you very well! Before you go ahead and enjoy the great articles included in this issue, let me keep you here with me for a little while so that I can give you a few exciting updates about the work of the IUCN/SSC Tapir Specialist Group! Some of us had the opportunity to attend the First Latin American Tapir Symposium held in Puyo, Ecuador, from May 8 to 11 (please see Andres Tapia’s note about the conference in our Conservation section). This conference was an initiative of our TSG members in Ecuador, with the support from several local organizations including IUCN South America. It was held in conjunction with the annual meeting of the Ecuadorian Mammal Society. It was a great conference, with fantastic presentations and loads of new information about the three tapir species in Latin America. Nevertheless, I have to say that the best part of the conference was the opportunity we had to meet a number of new researchers working on tapirs in countries where we do not have a strong representation, such as Venezuela. The conference in Ecuador brought new blood and energy to the Tapir Specialist Group!
A preliminary investigation of the status and threats to Malayan tapir Tapirus indicus in the Taninthayi Nature Reserve, Myanmar.
Section: Articles Keywords: Malayan tapir, Myanmar, Surveys, Camera-traps, Hunting, Conservation management Subjects: Ecology and evolution, Conservation The Tenasserim Range along the Thailand – Myanmar border is one of largest forested landscapes(>110,000km2) in the global range of the Malayan Tapir Tapirus indicus but little is known about their status, distribution and current threats there. On the Myanmar side of the border, only one protected area, the 1700 km2 Taninthayi Nature Reserve, conserves tropical rainforests and affords biodiversity protection. During March to June 2011 surveys were conducted using camera-traps, tracks and sign, and interview methods. Over 60 km of trails were walked and tapir tracks and/or sign were detected at three of twelve survey routes. Over 630 trap nights recorded 2774 pictures of 19 species of mammals, including tapirs. At least three individual tapirs were recorded by camera-traps in two mineral licks in the core zone of the Reserve. A third of 119 interviewees reported having eaten tapir meat in the last 14 years. At least 26 tapirs were killed by local hunters and elephant capturers within the last two decades. Tapirs were also accidentally killed in pit fall traps and during commercial logging operations prior to the Reserve being gazetted. The short-term conservation priority for tapirs is to reduce poaching and accidental killings of tapirs. In response to the threat, continuation of a ranger training program is needed to raise capacity for law enforcement. Occupancy surveys and studies of the impact of infrastructure development on tapir habitats along with developing a tapir conservation awareness program for local people is needed in the medium-term future. In the long-term a regional conservation plan is recommended to guide effective conservation of Myanmar’s Malayan tapir population and other important rainforest fauna.
Copyright (c) 2012 Tapir Conservation https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Displacement of the Malayan Tapir (Tapirus indicus) in Peninsular Malaysia from 2006 to 2010
Section: Articles Keywords: Peninsula Malaysia, Tapirus indicus, Habitat loss, Palm oil Subjects: Distribution, Conservation Peninsular Malaysia is the centre of the Malayan Tapir’s, Tapirus indicus, distribution range. Tapirs are found in every forest type, including peat swamps up to lower montane forest. The Department of Wildlife and National Parks’ (DWNP) wildlife inventories have recorded signs of tapirs in lowland areas and up to 1430m near Gunung Tahan, 1,720m at Gunung Benom in Krau Wildlife Reserve and 1730m at Gunung Bintang Hijau. Tapirs were recorded in forest fringes as well as logged disturbed forest, and occasionally passing through rubber and oil palm plantations. William and Petrides (1980) reported that tapirs were found in all states of Peninsular Malaysia, and although its current distribution range, according to states, remains similar, its effective range has been reduced to primarily the main range, Belum forest complex (including Ulu Muda), greater Taman Negara forest complex, Pahang peat swamp forest and Endau-Rompin forest complex.
Vocal behaviour and communication of the Malayan tapir (Tapirus indicus)
Section: Articles Keywords: Bioacustics, Tapirus indicus, Behavior Subjects: Ecology and evolution, Reproduction captivity and health The purpose of this study was to investigate the vocal repertoire of the Malayan tapir (Tapirus indicus), and to describe the observed calls by physical parameters and appearance in spectrogram. Vocalizations from five animals at Sungai Dusun Wildlife Conservation Centre were recorded for 14 days, prior to morning feeding. Four distinct call types were observed, two of which were categorised as whistling-type calls, the other two call types were categorised as non-whistling-type calls. Two other whistling-type calls were observed, but it was not possible to determine whether they were different, or if their differences were due to individual differences between the animals. The effects of distance on the number of high order harmonics were studied, and showed that the higher harmonics of the whistling-type calls would be severely dampened within 50m. This, and the fact that the majority of the recorded calls were whistling-type calls with higher harmonic rather than non-whistling-type calls without harmonics, supports the hypothesis that Malayan tapirs originally were adapted to life in the open, rather than life in forests.
Section: Editorial Keywords: Editorial Subjects: Editorial As you all know, the Fifth International Tapir Symposium was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in October 2011. It was the very first time our tapir symposium was held in a Malayan tapir range country and I am happy to report it was a very successful, productive conference, with ample representation from several countries in Southeast Asia, as well as colleagues coming a long way from Latin America, United States and Europe. As a consequence of the symposium in Malaysia and the high quality of the Malayan tapir papers presented during the conference, we decided to keep the momentum and dedicate this issue of Tapir Conservation to the endangered Malayan tapir! This issue includes a compilation of papers that provides a most detailed overview of the status of Malayan tapirs in the wild, the main threats faced by these animals and what is currently being done to promote the conservation of the species and its remaining habitat in Southeast Asia. As for this Letter from the Chair, I would like to take this opportunity to give you a brief overview of the main results of the Fifth International Tapir Symposium in Malaysia.
Aportes a la hematología de individuos de Tapirus pinchaquecapturados en los Andes Centrales de Colombia
Section: Articles Keywords: Colombia, Hematology, In situ, ISIS 2006, Tapirus pinchaque Subjects: Reproduction captivity and health, Conservation We analized blood samples from two mountain tapirs (Tapirus pinchaque) captured in the Los Nevados National Park, Colombia, during an expedition in order to fit animals with GPS collars. Blood samples were taken while animals were sedated, and we carried out a hemogram, and a stool and ectoparasite analysis. Results were compared with data from ISIS 2006, and we found a significant differences in cell counts for leucocytes, linfocytes, and acidocytes. The hemogram results were considered normal given the climactic and geographic conditions found in the Los Nevados National Park, and the capture and restraint methods. Our study contributes information about tapirs of interest to veterinarians based on clinical analysis that may assist in the management and conservation of this species in the wild (in situ) and in captivity (ex situ).
Copyright (c) 2011 Tapir Conservation https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Abundance and habitat use of the Baird's tapir (Tapirus bairdii) in Frontera Corozal, Lacandon Jungle, Chiapas, Mexico
Section: Articles Keywords: Tapirus bairdii, Abundance, Habitat, Mexico, Lacandon Forest Subjects: Ecology and evolution, Conservation 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.
Preliminary assessment of habitat connectivity for the Baird's tapir (Tapirus bairdii) in Guatemala
Section: Articles Keywords: Baird's tapir, Connectivity, Graph theory, Integral connectivity index Subjects: Distribution, Ecology and evolution, Conservation La pérdida y fragmentación del hábitat son procesos que amenazan la integridad ecológica del hábitat de la danta centroamericana en Guatemala y, por consiguiente, su conectividad. La conectividad del hábitat es el resultado de la interacción entre la estructura del paisaje y el comportamiento de las especies, y puede evaluarse tanto desde un punto de vista estructural como funcional. Entre los enfoques más prometedores para evaluar la conectividad se encuentra el uso de la teoría de grafos. En este artículo, presentamos los resultados preliminares de una evaluación de la conectividad del hábitat de la danta centroamericana en Guatemala, utilizando el Índice de Conectividad Integral. Con este índice, analizamos la importancia de los remanentes de hábitat para mantener la conectividad del hábitat de la danta centroamericana y, por consiguiente, sus implicaciones en el manejo y la conservación de la especie.
Tapirus terrestris occurrence in a landscape mosaic of Atlantic Forest and Eucalyptus monoculture in southeast Brazil
Section: Articles Keywords: Fragmentation, Tapirus terrestris, Brazil, Plantations Subjects: Ecology and evolution, Conservation Generally, fragmentation and habitat loss associated with permanent landscape-scale alterations such as roads, agriculture and other non-habitat areas can inhibit habitat connectivity, changing the spatial distribution pattern of species or modifying the movement of individuals among habitat patches. When landscape changes decrease forest connectivity, species that are unable to cross nonforested portions of the landscape, or “matrix”, can become confined to isolated forest patches, thus, reducing the overall population size and the probability of persistence, specially of large mammals. Thus, understanding how they use different elements of the landscape can help to define strategies of management and conservation. In an attempt to draw attention to these questions, we report evidence of movement of the lowland tapir across eucalyptus forests, unpaved roads, and Atlantic Forest fragments in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil.
New sightings of the mountain tapir in the Central Andes of Ecuador by camera trapping
Section: Articles Keywords: Camera trapping, Activity patterns, Tapirus pinchaque Subjects: Distribution, Conservation Since 2007, the Project of Conservation of the Mountain Tapir (Tapirus pinchaque) (PCTA), has been carrying out actions focused on conservation of remaining populations of the species in the eastern slopes of the Ecuadorian`s central Andes, through three main topics: i) research and field monitoring, ii) capacity building, local training, environmental education and communication iii) and conservation through non government protected areas.
Nuevas recomendaciones para el manejo nutricional del tapir en cautiverio
Section: Articles Keywords: Captivity, Diet, Fiber, Nutrition, Tapir Subjects: Reproduction captivity and health In captivity, the tapir has a number of peculiarities, both anatomical and behavioral, which should be considered in order to provide proper nutrition to these animals. A report from the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians indicates that the highest proportion of adult mortality in tapirs was due to diseases of gastrointestinal origin, of which the majority were classified as being of non-infectious origin. This highlights the importance to reassess the recommendations for tapir diet in captivity. Today, a typical diet includes large amounts of fruits and produce grown for human consumption, commercial food designed for domestic horses, and fresh or alfalfa hay and some local grasses. The consumption of tree limbs and shrub is limited, despite the fact that in the wild the tapir is known to naturally include a large volume of these as their usual diet. These feeding practices in captivity may be directly related, similarly to what is observed in domestic horses, with the with metabolic acidity, which occurs due to the lack of fiber and high concentration of sugars and starches in the diet. This report is intended to, in addition to characterize the current diet of tapirs in some zoos, propose new guidelines for the husbandry nutrition of tapir in captivity.
A Preliminary Study of Habitat Selection by Malayan Tapir, Tapirus indicus, in Krau Wildlife Reserve, Malaysia
Section: Articles Keywords: Habiat use, Tapirus indicus, Diet Subjects: Ecology and evolution, Distribution The Malay tapir, Tapirus indicus, is the only member of the Tapiridae family to exist in Asia with the World’s remaining three species found in the Americas. The Malay tapir is believed to have split up from its three American family members approximately 20-23 million years ago. Whilst the species roamed large parts of Asia, recent finds suggest that the Malay tapir existed on Borneo from the late Pleistocene (~ 45,000 years ago) through the Holocene until as recently as perhaps a few hundred years ago. It is not known what lead to their disappearance on Borneo, but there has been a suggestion that it is linked to the change of habitat, where Malay tapirs may have preferred the rich savannah landscapes that dominated Sundaland. With the rising water level Borneo became isolated from continental Asia and forced tapirs and other large ungulates to forage in tropical rainforests that may not have been the optimal habitat for them. This study aimed at describing the micro-habitat of selected areas with known occupancy of Malay tapirs to emphasize on habitat usage and its relation to the feeding selection of Tapirus indicus at Krau Wildlife Reserve, Pahang.
Copyright (c) 2010 Tapir Conservation https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Aspects of the Behavior and Management of the Lowland Tapir (Tapirus terrestris) in Captivity in Araxa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Section: Articles Keywords: Brazilian tapir, Behavior, Management in captivity Subjects: Conservation, Reproduction captivity and health The purpose of this study was to characterize the behavior of the lowland or Brazilian tapir (Tapirus terrestris) and determine the possible correlations between environmental factors and the time when births occur in captivity in this region, in order to obtain useful data for ex situ and in situ management and conservation of the species. The study was carried out in the period February - June 2006 at the Conservation Breeding Centre of Companhia Brasileira de Metalurgia e Mineração (CBMM) in Araxá, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The behaviors of Tapirs were observed in two stages using ad libitum and instantaneous scan sampling techniques totaling 90 hours of behavioral observations. The sample comprised eight specimens among three groups, kept in three different enclosures. Data were also collected on ten tapir births at the Breeding Centre and on historical averages of temperature and rainfall at the site for the period 1987-2006. The observations performed for this study allowed the identification and description of 22 behavioral events expressed for Brazilian tapir in captivity. The behavioral events “chasing”, “biting” and “sniffing genitalia” were performed only by males, apparently relating to sexual interest in females. On the other hand, “Caring parentally” was seen only in females. “Vocalization distress” was also observed only in females, when looking for their young and being chased by males. The “urine marking” was performed only by adult animals, both male and female. All other behavioral events in the repertoire were observed for both males and females. Three different types of vocalizations were observed at high frequencies among the social events and seemed to play an important role for the species in social interaction.
Notes on the Conservation Status and Distribution of the Tapir (Tapirus terrestris) in the Paramillo National Natural Park
Section: Articles Keywords: Córdoba, Distribution, Paramillo National Natural Park, Tapirus terrestris, Uses Subjects: Ecología y evolución, Conservación, Distribution By problems of order public many places in protected areas of Colombia are not visited regularly and are little the knowledge about of the status of the populations of wild life. This note shows some aspects of the ecology, distribution and ethno-biology of the Danta (Tapirus terrestris) in the natural national park (NNP) Paramillo, where the specie was declared object conservation within the management plan of the Paramillo park. The information comes from primary sources (fieldwork) and secondary from participatory diagnostic made whit the different communities inside of the protected area and with the help of hunters and locals experts. To make the analysis of the distribution of the specie in the NNP Paramillo was discovered than the areas associated to the wetlands of the rivers Manso, Tigre y Sinú specially the swamps El Barrial, La Rosita, Monomacho, El Carmen y La Trampa should be considered of high importance to the conservation of the specie, for the continuous reports in this places. The problems principals of conservation for de Tapir in the NNP Paramillo are the loss of habitat y the pressure by hunting.
Section: Editorial Keywords: Editorial Subjects: Editorial Over the past six months, the Tapir Specialist Group has made considerable progress on developing National Action Plans for Tapir Research and Conservation. Argentina and Ecuador have recently finished and published their plans! As you all know, after holding Population and Habitat Viability Assessments (PHVAs) and developing new action plans for each species of tapir, the TSG has shifted its focus to developing National Action Plans for each tapir range country. So far, Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador and Mexico have finished their plans. French Guiana, Guatemala, Indonesia, Peru and Venezuela are well on their way. In Brazil, the TSG is working with the Federal Environmental Agency (ICMBio) on the revision of the Brazilian Red List – which includes lowland tapirs – and the results of this work will be used for the development of a National Action Plan for lowland tapirs in Brazil. A workshop to evaluate the status of lowland tapirs in all Brazilian biomes where the species occurs will be held in November 2010. All tapir action plans can be downloaded in all appropriate languages from the TSG website (www.tapirs.org). I would like to express our gratitude to all TSG Country Coordinators who have been working really hard on developing and publishing the National Action Plans! In addition, I would like to thank all organizations that have provided institutional and financial support for our action planning activities in each country.
Tapir Conservation National Action Plan in Ecuador
Section: Articles Keywords: Workshops, Tapirus pinchaque, Tapirus terrestris Subjects: Conservation The process to make a successful National Action Plan for tapir conservation in Ecuador began after our participation in the Mountain Tapir Population and Habitat Viability Assessment, held in Pereira, Colombia in 2004. During this meeting, the members of the TSG-Ecuador, realized the importance of developing a conservation plan to guide the main conservation actions for the three tapir species in Ecuador. Some years later, as a result of the Lowland Tapir PHVA and the Third and Fourth International Tapir Symposiums, the idea to formulate a National Tapir Conservation Action Plan had matured. Following this, many meetings and national workshops have been held in Ecuador, to enable us to develop our national action plan for Ecuador.
Environmental Education Project "Getting to Know the Tapir. The Lost Giant of Tucumán's Fauna", Argentina
Section: Articles Keywords: Environmental education, Tapirus terrestris, Argentina Subjects: Conservation The Horco Molle Experimental Reserve (REHM) of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and the IML of the National University of Tucumán (UNT) is developing the Environmental Education (EE) project "Getting to Know the Tapir. The Lost Giant of Tucumán's Fauna" this year. The project is funded by the Secretariat of University Welfare and sponsored by numerous university, provincial, and NGO institutions (see list below).
Sugarcane Pre-harvest Burning: A Threat to Megafaunal Conservation in Brazil?
Section: Articles Keywords: Atlantic Forest, Conservation, Fire, Fragmented area, Tapirus terrestris Subjects: Distribution, Conservation The Lowland tapir, Tapirus terrestris, listed as vulnerable in the IUCN red list (2009), and classified in section II by the CITES (2009), is scarce in many regions of Brazil. Although this species is not included in the threatened species list of the IBAMA, it is reported in six of seven Brazilian state lists of animals threatened with extinction. This specie situation is principally due to habitat loss and poaching (IUCN 2009). Since the Lowland tapir may be considered a keystone species because of its role of seed-disperser, its extirpation from a forest ecosystem may potentially have a subtantial impact on the recruitment dynamics of some vegetal species.
Tapirus terrestris in Espírito Santo, Brasil
Section: Articles Keywords: Espiritu Santo, Fire, Isolation, Persistence, Tapirus terrestris Subjects: Ecology and evolution, Conservation, Distribution We investigated the conservation status of Tapirus terrestris in Espírito Santo by interviewing scientists and reserve managers working there and by visiting forests ≥ 1000 ha. Whereas tapirs inhabited the entire state at the beginning of the 20th century, their populations were reduced to three, or possibly four, isolated populations by the time of the study (2006). Widespread defores-tation, escaped fires, and excessive hunting were the principal causes of the tapirs decline. Although hunting pressure has decreased in the past decades and does not appear to be an imminent threat to the extant populations, the populations in the two smaller reserves (Córrego Grande and Córrego do Veado) are vulnerable to escaped fires and the deleterious consequences of inbreeding depression. The larger population (Sooretama and Linhares reserves) has good prospects for long-term persistence. Each population is isolated from the others by inhospitable landscapes and due to the intensive use of these lands it is unlikely that it will be possible to create movement corridors. Conservationists are active in the state and as the reserve managers are supportive of conservation and research programs and there is suitable habitat for tapir re-introductions, the future for tapirs in the state is hopeful.
A New Record of Baird’s Tapir Tapirus bairdii in Nicaragua and Potential Implications
Section: Articles Keywords: Baird's tapir, Camera trapping, Local ecological knowledge, Miskito coast, Tracking Subjects: Distribution, Conservation The Baird’s tapir Tapirus bairdii, acknowledged as the largest terrestrial mammal in Central and South America, is also one of the region’s rarer mammals. The species is listed as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, is an Appendix 1 Species on the Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES), and less than 5,500 are estimated to be left in the wild. Further, it is expected that local overhunting and habitat fragmentation will cause continued declines in remaining populations of the Baird’s tapir. Although Baird’s tapirs were believed absent or extirpated from the Caribbean coastal forests of Nicaragua, we obtained evidence from camera traps and tracks along with local accounts that demonstrate its occurrence at multiple locations in the region. More rigorous tapir surveys will help elucidate if the tapir population of the Southern Atlantic Autonomous Region (RAAS) of Nicaragua is viable or is merely comprised of dispersing juveniles and not sustainable. Such data will have significant conservation implications for an area undergoing rapid land-use and land-cover changes due to expanding agriculture and increasing investments in infrastructure.