The Tapir Gallery: Focus on the lowland tapir Inhabiting a paradise in peril

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The lowland, Brazilian, or South American tapir (Tapirus terrestris) is indigenous to most of the rainforested areas of South America. While there are more of this species left than of the Baird's, mountain and Malayan tapirs, the rainforests are suffering at the hands of humanity, and the tapirs are disappearing along with the rainforest. In addition, tapirs are often hunted, a pressure they cannot withstand for long.

Tapirs figure in myths, legends, and religious beliefs of indigenous people. The Piaroas Indians of South America do not kill the tapir (Tapirus terrestris) because they believe tapirs to be "a sacred animal in which their ancestors are reincarnated." Source: Edgardo Mondolfi, "La Danta o Tapir," Defensa Nat. 1969. 1(4): 13-20.

Links below marked with an (orange arrow) indicate that the page is about or specifically includes lowland (or Brazilian) tapirs. Other links may contain general information, or information about a habitat area that includes lowland tapirs, but where the species is not mentioned.

Description and general information

• About Tapirs
  
• Distribution map
  
• Reprints
  This page in The Tapir Gallery links to online reprints and also tells you where to obtain reprints on paper.
  
• Lowland tapir
  "The Ultimate Ungulate Page: Your Guide to the World's Hoofed Mammal Species." Includes photos and a concise description of the species with range maps, measurements, and more.
  

Pictures

• Pictures of lowland tapirs on the Tapir Gallery Web site
  
• Lowland tapir pictures and info on the ARKive Web site
  

Endangered species lists

• Tapirus terrestris on the CITES list
  Click on Common name in the database and search for tapir, and you will see all of the species listed.
  

Zoos

• How many are in the zoo?
  
• Tapir TAG (Taxon Advisory Group) of the AZA
  The AZA (American Zoo and Aquarium Association) lists 42 males, 48 females, for a total of 90 animals kept in zoos belonging to their association. While the Brazilian tapir is still endangered, there are currently so many of this species in zoos that the Tapir TAG is encouraging zoos to stop breeding them in order to make room for the other three species, all of which are more endangered than Tapirus terrestris. See also their Homepage, where you can search the site.
  

Conservation and research

General/inclusive

• IUCN/SSC Action Plan for Tapirs
  This is on the Web site of the IUCN/SSC Tapir Specialist Group. The article entitled "Tapirs as Seed Dispersers and Predators" gives a long list of foods eaten by this species.
  
• Tapirs: Conservation & Ecology
  
• How Can I Help?
  

By country

• Tapir Conservation: Number 7, October 1997
  This is on the Web site of the IUCN/SSC Tapir Specialist Group. Check the Table of Contents and follow the links to South America. This reference gives numbers of Brazilian tapirs in each country, if known.
  

Brazil

• Patrícia Medici: in the field in Brazil
  A Tapir Gallery Conservation Profile. Learn how Patrícia, a research biologist and conservationist working near São Paulo, is helping us learn about and ultimately save the tapirs.
  

Colombia

Red Danta Colombia
In Spanish: Red Danta Colombia is an informal group of people that uses internet to communicate about its work with tapirs in Colombia. "Red Danta" means "tapir network." This is an exciting development in tapir conservation, and is still in its infancy.

Venezuela

• Devastation by mining: Bolívar state, Venezuela
  Not only tapirs, but humans and all other animals and plants are already being destroyed by dangerous mining practices in the state of Bolívar. New decisions by the Venezuelan government will make the situation worse.