Tapires de la Sierra Project
The Central American tapir (Tapirus bairdii) is the largest terrestrial mammal in Mesoamerica and a keystone species for the health and regeneration of tropical forests. This herbivore plays a crucial role as a seed disperser, consuming a wide variety of fruits and plants. As it travels across extensive forest areas, it deposits seeds in new locations through its droppings. This process supports natural forest regeneration, maintains plant diversity, and contributes to the ecosystem’s structure. Acting as a “gardener of the forest,” the tapir helps preserve ecological balance and ensures the availability of resources for countless other species.
However, the species is globally endangered according to the IUCN Red List, and in Mexico it is listed as Endangered under NOM-059. Habitat loss and fragmentation, combined with hunting, pose serious threats to its survival throughout its range, which extends from southern Mexico to northern Colombia.
In Mexico, the tapir’s last refuges are now restricted to highly localized regions, such as the tropical forests of the Selva Lacandona, the mid-elevation forests of Calakmul and the Yucatán Peninsula, and the mountainous areas of Chiapas and Oaxaca, where their presence is increasingly rare and vulnerable.
In this context, the Tapires de la Sierra Project was launched in 2017, focusing on conserving the Central American tapir in the mountainous regions of the Sierra Madre de Chiapas and the Sierra Sur of Oaxaca.
The project is grounded in an integrated approach structured around three main pillars:
Population Monitoring: Camera trapping technique is used to document tapir presence, estimate their abundance, and gain a deeper understanding of their distribution.
Environmental Education: Through the Salva Dantas environmental education initiative, children in rural communities participate in workshops, games, and educational activities designed to build awareness and appreciation for tapirs and their habitat.
Community Engagement and Outreach: The project works closely with ejidos and local communities to protect the forests that serve as refuges for this species through conservation agreements that promote sustainable development and tapir conservation in their territories. Additionally, audiovisual materials are produced to enhance the scientific outreach and visibility of the project’s work.
Through these efforts, the project aims not only to protect the Central American tapir but also to promote sustainable coexistence between communities and the ecosystems they call home.
