Tapir Talk Archives

6 May 1997

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    ___  __                   Digest 6 May 1997 - Vol. 1, No. 6
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       \  \ \  \__  \ \       The Tapir Preservation Fund
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                      http://www.tapirback.com/tapirgal/
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TAPIR TALK   -  6 May 1997   -   Vol. 1, No. 6

Contents of this issue:
    1. Eco-Trust: Ecologism
    2. Corridors
    3. Surplus animals
    4. Geographic origin
    5. Domestication
    6. Nomenclature of T. bairdii
    7. Reintroduction


Return-Path: 
Date: Mon, 5 May 1997 16:38:29 -0600 (CST)
X-Sender: champion@sol.racsa.co.cr
To: Tapir 
From: Mar-Ket Daze 
Subject: Re: Tapir Talk Digest

Not exclusively for tapirs, but for all endangered and threatened species of
the neo-tropics, ECO-TRUST strives to secure corridor lands for eventual use
as areas of reintroductions.

As one of the first researchers to successfully rehabilitate a zoo-born
Papio anubis (olive baboon) to a free-living troop, I have great
expectations for renewing the wildlife in the protected but often low animal
density forests.

Thought that Tapir Talk might be an applicable forum to share a passion of
mine, a spirtually based ecological movement . . . . 


                                ECOLOGISM : The Spirituality of Nature

        Perhaps long over due, ecologism is the spiritual belief in the direct 
        connection of one's own being to the eco-system in which we coexist. 
        Mankind, long infatuated with the spiritual world, often continues
        to follow 
        tenants of worship created when the universe was in much better shape. 
        Worship now must be directed towards the goals of ecologism, awareness 
        and peaceful coexistence with the natural world. It is through this 
        coexistence that our only true salvation can be obtained.

        We may ask, how can an individual feel spiritually fulfilled, if not 
        addressing the most pressing issues of our millennium. The effects of 
        mankind's destructive actions on the environment must be addressed and 
        altered for the benefit of all the natural world. We can only truly
        find our 
        own heavens if we are secure in the knowledge that we didn't leave a
        hell 
        behind for our children and grandchildren to endure.

        Ecologism relies on the activism of local community members. Delivering 
        sermons on the consequences of continued environmental abuse in one's 
        own area and beneficial alternatives is a major instrument in
        passing the 
        message of ecologism. Additionally, the movement will have their home 
        office centrally located in the San Ramon region of Costa Rica. This
        forest
        based operation will allow for weekend retreats of members, both
        adult and 
        students. We firmly believe that much of our hopes for the future of 
        ecologism lies with our children and grandchildren. With this in
        mind we will 
        also be offering weekend and vacation excursions for students at all
        levels. 
        Informative lectures and presentations will be offered along with a
        great 
        deal of hands on experiences in our own primary cloud forest. 

        Ecologism has the power to join together individuals from all walks
        of life, 
        speaking in the various tongues of the world, and melting national 
        boundaries. In this era of renewal, should we not first look at our own 
        purpose in the entire scheme of things. Ecologism will allow you to
        feel like 
        you do make a difference. Every individual that you touch with our
        pledges 
        of environmentally sound choices may be considered as a possible
        convert 
        to our beliefs. Ecologism can and should join together corporate and 
        individual concerns. Ecologism opens their arms to all who realize the 
        dangers that lie ahead without a rise in awareness.

        For more information concerning the ecologism movement please write in 
        care of: ECO-TRUST, Att : Philip S. Ketover, Nuevo Arenal,
        Guanacaste, Costa Rica
        telephone / fax  011 (506) 694-4060 

NOTE : WE ARE COMPILING LISTS OF CONTACTS WHO HAVE SUPPLIES OF UNWANTED
NEO-TROPICAL WILDLIFE. WE ARE HERE TO OFFER THEM A SECOND CHANCE AT A FREE
AND NATURAL EXISTENCE. THOSE ANIMALS NOT DEEMED CAPABLE OF REHABILITATION TO
A NATURAL HABITAT WILL BE HOUSED IN AS NATURAL CONDITIONS AS POSSIBLE AND
PLACED IN A CAPTIVE BREEDING PROGRAM, SO THAT THEIR OFFSPRING MAY BE ABLE TO
ENJOY THE LIFE THEY WERE KEPT FROM.

P.S. KETOVER
Arenal, Costa Rica

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Return-Path: 
Date: Tue, 6 May 97 12:45:13 -0700
From: Bjorn_Bergman@friendsbalt.org (Bjorn Bergman)
Organization: Friends School of Baltimore
Subject: Tapir Talk - 6 May 1997
To: tapir@tapirback.com
Priority: normal


                                                                   
Bjorn_Bergman@friendsbalt.org
       
           I'm doing a science project on the Amazonian Tapir. I'd be
interested if anyone knew the tapirs continent of orgin, how far it extended,
or how it came to be in South America and Malaysia. I'd also be curious if
anyone knew anything about tapir domestication attempts. I look forward to
your responses.

                                 Sincerely, Bjorn Bergman

=========================================

Return-Path: 
X-Sender: tapir@tapirback.com
To: tapir@tapirback.com
From: Tapir 
Subject: Tapir Talk: Spelling and reintros
Date: Tue, 6 May 1997 12:07:43 -0600

SPELLING OF BAIRDII (Tapirus Bairdii, Gill 1865): Hello Werner, I've been
wondering about the proper spelling also. Hershkovitz used the "ii" ending
in 1954 when he did his major "Systematic Review of American Species [of
tapir]" in his
paper for the Smithsonian. This was also the last major review of American
tapirs, and his work has always been respected and widely cited. He doubles
the "i" also on "roulinii" (mountain tapir's earlier name), though the name
comes from Roulin (without an "i" ending), and also dowii, from Dow. The
Smithsonian still gives "bairdii" on their web site - taxonomy section:

http://nmnhwww.si.edu/cgi-bin/wdb/msw/children/query/14015

More recently I've seen the single "i" ending in a number of papers, but
have not read an explanation for choosing to use the single "i." Tapirus
bairdii has gone through some serious name changes in its history, and was
at one time considered to be two separate species. Name-wise, the genus name
went through Elasmognathus and Tapirella before becoming Tapirus. In 1865,
Gill gave the species as Elasmognathus bairdii (according to Hershkovitz,
who does write "sic" if the spelling changes). The first time I *think*
"bairdi" was used was Sumichrast 1882 (again, in Hershkovitz). Single "i"
was again used by Sclater, 1872, and the "ii" was used by numerous writers
after that time, including in publications of the Smithsonian.

So, which is right? I don't know, but "ii" seems to have the weight of use.
***Does anyone have a copy of Gill, 1865, they could send me?***  Thanks.

REINTRODUCTIONS: Norman, I'd be interested in hearing details about the
problems of genetics, viruses, etc. in reintroduction. Have you published
something about this?

Sheryl

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sheryl Todd  ~  The Tapir Gallery  ~  Tapir Preservation Fund    
http://www.tapirback.com/tapirgal/        tapir@tapirback.com 
Co-Editor, IUCN/SSC Tapir Specialist Group Newsletter
P.O. Box 1432, Palisade, CO 81526 USA    Fax (970) 464-0377
"Promoting the Welfare of Tapirs Everywhere"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


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