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TAPIR SPECIALIST GROUP

Tapirs:
Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan
Published 1997

Status and Action Plan of the Mountain Tapir
(Tapirus pinchaque)
Continued from Previous Page

Natural predators and diseases

The mountain tapir appears to have fewer non-human predators than the lowland-dwelling tapirs. Pumas (Felis concolor) prey on mountain tapirs (Schauenberg 1969). Examination of puma seats revealed that 13% of their diet was comprised of mountain tapir (n= 15, N=2). Predation of the mountain tapir by puma increases in areas of heavy livestock because of the higher populations of pumas in these areas (Von Humboldt 1850).

Jaguar (Panthera onca) may ascend to heights of over 2000m and has killed mountain tapir in Podocarpus National Park in southern Ecuador (G. Capa pers. comm. 1992). The spectacled bear, Tremarctos ornatus, is also known to attack and eat mountain tapir (Peyton 1980, MacKinnon 1984). Paw marks have been observed on an adult male in Sangay National Park at about 2800m elevation, which appeared to be those of the spectacled bear. It is also likely that packs of feral dogs hunt down and kill mountain tapir. It is doubtful that the Andean fox (Dusicyon culpaeus), often sympatric with the mountain tapir, is either big enough or has the capacity to kill mountain tapir (Borrero 1967). Locals of the Sangay National Park region and other Andean areas also suggest that the Andean condor, Condor gryphus, may kill juvenile and new-born mountain tapirs.

Diseases of the mountain tapir are nearly all associated with domestic stock (Lee 1993). These include a type of pulmonary pneumonia, likely contracted from livestock, as well as intestinal parasites including nematodes (Gale and Sedgwick 1968, J. Hernandez-Camacho pers. comm. 1978, pers. obs.). Giardia also may afflict the mountain tapir in areas where livestock occurs. The presence of the nematode genera Strongylus and Strongyloides as well as ascarids has also been noted (Gale and Sedgwick 1968). These parasites can cause tapir mortality. Accidental falls from steep slopes or from natural land slides are an additional mortality factor.

Status of legal protection

Mountain tapir are listed on Appendix 1 of CITES which restricts international trade in animals and their parts. Commerce within individual countries is prevalent however, both for meat and folklore medicine. The harassment, capture, or killing of mountain tapir are prohibited in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, whether in or out of national parks and nature preserves. Although it was listed as Vulnerable in the IUCN Red Data Books (Thornback and Jenkins 1982), its listing was changed to Endangered in the 1994 IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals (IUCN 1994). As mentioned in the Status and Threats section, the 1996 IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals lists the mountain tapir as Endangered (EN: A1c+2cd, C1, E) (IUCN 1996). Although many countries follow IUCN's categorized listings in their legislation, IUCN categories do not have any legal status within countries (Gimenez-Dixon in litt.).

Destruction of Andean habitat

Mountain tapir may be considered a flagship species for the high northern Andes. In this biogeographical region, distinctive for its páramos, remaining natural habitats are being systematically partitioned by roads, deforestation, crops, livestock, and human settlement. These activities leave fragmented populations which are subject to inbreeding, physical or genetic isolation, and chance die-out from disease, predation, and hunting (Soulé 1986). The slow rate of reproduction of mountain tapir, its solitary social nature, as well as its dependence on the rugged cloud forest habitats makes this species particularly vulnerable to human development.

The preservation of viable mountain tapir populations occupying adequate habitat and joined wherever possible by corridors will also help to preserve the whole ecological complex of this high Andean region. Unless present destructive trends are arrested, the high Andean forests and páramos will be overrun within a relatively short time (Cavelier and Etter 1995, Thornback and Jenkins 1982).

Ecuador has an alarming rate of deforestation with 3402km2 (total 112,028) of forest and woodland lost in 1985 (World Resources Institute 1993). If a similar rate continues, regardless of how high or low in elevation, all of its forests will have disappeared in less than 30 years (Troya-Rodriguez 1990). In 1985 Colombia destroyed 8902km2 (total 506,132) of forest and woodland, while Peru destroyed 2699km2 (total 686,679), and Venezuela destroyed 2451km2 (total 304,728) (World Resources Institute 1993).

Due to its greater size, Colombia probably has more mountain tapirs than Ecuador, which would make Colombia the strongest refuge for the species. Peru's dwindling population is dangerously low with perhaps fewer than 200 individuals (Grimwood 1969), while that of Venezuela has probably disappeared (J. Perfaur, F. Bisbal pers. comm.) (Fig. 2.1 and Table 2.1).

Specific regional threats

Venezuela

Mountain tapirs may have occurred in the western Andes of Venezuela, considering the tapirs current distribution, the recent history of habitat destruction, and the secretive nature of the animal. It is probable that it persisted until recent decades in the area of the El Tama National Park, near San Cristobal. An international park shared between Venezuela and Colombia, El Tama, should be considered as a suitable place to reintroduce the mountain tapir, as it is relatively well protected. Though guerrillero bands make this a difficult area for study or ecotourism, the danger helps prevent invasion by colonisers. Venezuelan authorities are interested in a reintroduction program for the mountain tapir in El Tama (Downer 1991). Visits to the Perija Cordillera and national park revealed no signs of mountain tapir. However elder Yupa Indian hunters reported mountain tapir occurred in the area around the mid-1970s.

Colombia

Due to its larger size, Colombia probably contains more mountain tapirs than Ecuador, which is the only other nation estimated to harbor at least 1000 breeding adults (Schauenberg 1969). Hunting is the primary threat in Colombia and tapir parts are in demand for medicinal use (Constantino in litt.). Additional threats include loss of habitat due to charcoal production, logging, opium and cocaine production, agriculture and livestock expansion, road construction, and military activity (Constantino in litt.). These threats are highlighted by region in this section, and summarized in Table 2.1.

The Eastern Cordillera: In the eastern cordillera hunting appears to be the primary threat. Both the Chingaza and Sumapaz National Parks near Bogota contain fine examples of both cloud forest and páramo, but reports of selling tapir meat at roadside stands indicate that poaching occurs (E. Constantino in litt.). The mountain tapir and all other large mammals in the El Cocuy Park region had been eradicated by hunters two decades ago (pers. obs. 1977). A network of privately owned nature reserves south of La Cocha through Nariño state to the Ecuadorian border harbors a remnant population of mountain tapir, particularly in inaccessible páramos and in the Putumayo/Guamuez watersheds at the southern base of Colombia's eastern cordillera (Constantino in litt.).

The Central Cordillera: In the central cordillera the species continues to be hunted near Manizales, Caldas state. Threatened by firewood gatherers and cattle intervention, a greatly reduced population occurs in the Los Nevados National Natural Park region, perhaps including the intensely colonized Nevado del Tolima where tapirs were found historically (Goudot 1843). Although a fairly safe population occurs in the Ucumari Regional Park of Risaralda, this region is threatened by activity expanding from nearby Los Nevados. An ongoing study of the mountain tapir is taking place at Ucumari (Acosta et al. in press). The unprotected Santa Rosa forest to the north of Ucumari has a tapir population which is severely threatened by hunting. A fair population of mountain tapirs still survives in a portion of Quindio state, south of Risaralda, which harbors extensive high Andean forest (Constantino in litt., L. Rojas pers. comm.).

Further south between Valle and Tolima states the mountain tapir inhabits Las Hermosas National Natural Park (Downer 1981). This park has been heavily invaded by colonizers who cultivate poppies for heroin and is controlled by narco-guerrilleros. Tapir populations and habitat have been greatly reduced at Las Hermosas in the last 15 years (Downer, pers. obs. 1981, Orejuela and Constantino in litt.).

Extensive deforestation to the south of Las Hermosas may have caused the tapirs demise, but a reasonable population occurs in the area of Purace National Natural Park (east of Popayan, Cauca state) where guerilla activity and opium cultivation are reducing native wildlife populations, including mountain tapirs (Constantino in litt.).

Southward, tapirs occur in the states of Huila and Nariño in remote areas where they are hunted (Constantino in litt.). Though little is known of actual tapir status here, numbers are believed to be considerable (J. Hernandez pers. comm. 1991). A recent effort in this region has been made by private Colombians to film this animal, discourage its hunting through hired vigilance, and establish protected reserves. Tapirs also occur along the Ecuadorian border. The El Angel páramo lies to the south and west of Ipiales, and was recently declared a reserve on the Ecuadorian side (see below).

Mountain tapir (continued)


CITATION:
Brooks, Daniel M.; Bodmer, Richard E.; Matola, Sharon (compilers). 1997. Tapirs - Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan. (English, Spanish, Portuguese.) IUCN/SSC Tapir Specialist Group. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. viii + 164 pp.
Online version: http://www.tapirback.com/tapirgal/iucn-ssc/tsg/action97/cover.htm

Copyright © 1997 International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources

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