The Tapir Specialist Group works to study and protect the four species of tapirs and their remaining habitat in Central and South America and Southeast Asia.
The Cause
Tapirs are a living fossil; they’be been around since the Eocene, having survived waves of extinction of other animals. The four species of tapirs represent a unique biology as well as a vital role in the ecosystems they inhabit, from dispersing seeds to digging burrows used by many other species for refuge.
Once widely abundant in their habitats, tapir populations have been in sharp decline in recent decades, leading to three of the four species becoming listed as Endangered.
The Challenge
The future of tapirs is threatened due to rapid decline and fragmentation of their habitat due to deforestation, agriculture and human habitation. Hunting and mining have also contributed to their loss.
The Tapir Specialist Group supports the study of tapirs and their habitat, in order to gain a better understanding of their biology and perspectives on the most successful methods to guarantee their long term survival in the wild.
Video: Tapirs are Incredible
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