A Century After Extinction in the Wild, Tapirs Reproduce for First Time in Rio State

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Camera traps in Cachoeiras de Macacu (RJ) caught the first images of a baby tapir that scientists believe was born some time in January. Tapirs were once common in Rio de Janeiro State, but were driven to extinction one hundred years ago by excessive hunting and habitat destruction.

The birth is a landmark moment for the tapir reintroduction project that has been in the works since 2012. After much planning, the first tapirs were released in Guapiaçu Ecological Reserve in late 2017 and have been closely monitored ever since with the help of radio collars.

Tapirs are Brazil’s largest terrestrial mammal, and though often associated with the Amazon Rainforest, they are widespread across the country, though in reduced numbers where human intervention is intense. South American (or Brazilian) Tapirs weigh about 170kg and have an incredible 13 month gestation period.

They are fast swimmers and use their trunk-like snouts to breathe above the surface when in water. For this reason these animals will often flee to bodies of water when pursued by predators.

Three of four tapir species worldwide are located in Central and South America. The fourth, incredibly, lives in Southeast Asia. This puzzled scientists in the past, until it was discovered that these animals were once widespread across Europe and Asia, but later died out, resulting in this strange population distribution.

Professor Maron Galliez co-ordinated the “Projeto Refauna” with the IFRJ (Instituto Federal do Rio de Janeiro) and will follow up with the young tapir. He said that in late January they first noted the tracks of a baby tapir. Now there is finally photographic confirmation.

Tapir calves have the distinctive, light striped coat for camouflage that is common with the juveniles of some forest-dwelling mammals. Over the next months the calf will be monitored by camera trap. At 6 months he or she (the gender is as yet unconfirmed) will be captured for examination.

Professor Galliez also said that they hope that a second released female tapir could also be pregnant. If so, this exciting project could lead to an increase in tapir populations in the state in the next number of years.

Over the last decade reintroductions have gained popularity in Rio and other places in Brazil, with agoutis, tortoises and howler monkeys being reintroduced to Tijuca National Park in the city of Rio de Janeiro, and plans for more reintroductions to come.