Tapir
All tapir species are endangered or threatened, largely due to hunting and habitat loss. It’s estimated that there are as few as 5000 Baird’s tapirs left in the wild. Tapirs are vitally important to maintaining the biological diversity of tropical forests. They are masters of dispersing seeds and leaving them well fertilised. A recent study of lowland tapirs in Peru found a whopping 122 different seed species in their poo!
Tapirs are vitally important to maintaining the biological diversity of tropical forests.
Tapirs are important recyclers of nutrients, helping the soil and landscape thrive. They also serve as biological indicators of the health and vitality of an area: tapirs are the first species to decline when there is human disturbance because of their large size, slow reproductive rate, and sensitivity to their environment.
