Lowland tapir
swims across a river
Photo © Ruben Nuñez 1997
This photo was sent by Ruben Nuñez, who usually works with mountain tapir conservation. He works out of the town of Baños in Tungurahua State, Ecuador. The elevation of Baños is such that from here one can go higher into the territory of the mountain tapir, or lower into the territory of the lowland or Brazilian tapir. In his work, Ruben takes students to places where they can see tapirs first-hand. Since mountain tapirs are usually isolated in the rugged montane forests, he can introduce students to tapirs more easily by showing them the lowland species (Tapirus terrestris).