Extremely rare animal thought to be extinct caught on camera
Tengrinews.kz - For over a century, scientists believed that the South American tapir had completely disappeared from the Atlantic Forest in Brazil. However, a recent discovery has changed the idea of the fate of this extremely rare animal: hidden cameras captured three individuals at once in Cunhambebe State Park.
According to the Daily Mail, the last confirmed sighting of the Brazilian tapir in the region was in 1914, when it was seen in Serra dos Orgaos National Park, about 140 kilometers from Cunhambebe. However, in January, scientists from Rio de Janeiro's State Environmental Institute (INEA) received unique footage - 108 photos and videos of three tapirs calmly walking through the forest.
This unexpected find caused real delight among ecologists and conservationists.
"This challenge reflects the importance of protected areas and conservation efforts in the recovery of emblematic species," an INEA representative told reporters.
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Публикация от Pedro Bernal - Bird photography and conservation (@altrazar)
The South American tapir (Tapirus terrestris), also known as the Brazilian or lowland tapir, is the largest land mammal in South America. This ancient species has existed on the planet for about 35 million years, but today the tapir population is rapidly declining.
All four tapir species (the South American tapir, Baird's tapir, Mountain tapir and the Malayan tapir) are listed as vulnerable or endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. The main reasons for their extinction are habitat destruction due to urbanization and deforestation, poaching, and the species' low reproductive capacity.
Female tapirs can conceive for only two days every 2-3 months. After conception, pregnancy lasts more than a year, and the cubs, born with a characteristic striped coloring reminiscent of fawns, need the mother's care for up to 18 months.
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Публикация от Boris Droutman (@bodro.photography)
Brazilian tapirs are nocturnal, hiding in dense vegetation during the day. They are excellent swimmers and often escape predators (jaguars, pumas, anacondas) by diving into bodies of water. Their flexible trunk-like noses allow them to efficiently obtain food – leaves, shoots, fruits and aquatic plants.
The average lifespan of tapirs in the wild is 25-30 years, adults reach a length of about 180 centimeters and weigh from 150 to 250 kilograms. Their distinctive feature is their wide, spread toes (four on the front legs and three on the back), allowing them to confidently move through wet and swampy areas of the forest.
The Cunhambebe State Park, where the tapirs were found, covers 38 000 hectares and was created in 2008 specifically to protect endangered species. According to experts, such finds give hope for the restoration of the population.
"The Cunhambebe State Park serves as a sanctuary for species in danger of extinction, allowing the maintenance of several essential ecological interactions such as seed dispersion, population control and genetic flow," INEA said.
According to the Daily Mail, the last confirmed sighting of the Brazilian tapir in the region was in 1914, when it was seen in Serra dos Orgaos National Park, about 140 kilometers from Cunhambebe. However, in January, scientists from Rio de Janeiro's State Environmental Institute (INEA) received unique footage - 108 photos and videos of three tapirs calmly walking through the forest.
This unexpected find caused real delight among ecologists and conservationists.
"This challenge reflects the importance of protected areas and conservation efforts in the recovery of emblematic species," an INEA representative told reporters.
Посмотреть эту публикацию в Instagram
Публикация от Pedro Bernal - Bird photography and conservation (@altrazar)
The South American tapir (Tapirus terrestris), also known as the Brazilian or lowland tapir, is the largest land mammal in South America. This ancient species has existed on the planet for about 35 million years, but today the tapir population is rapidly declining.
All four tapir species (the South American tapir, Baird's tapir, Mountain tapir and the Malayan tapir) are listed as vulnerable or endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. The main reasons for their extinction are habitat destruction due to urbanization and deforestation, poaching, and the species' low reproductive capacity.
Female tapirs can conceive for only two days every 2-3 months. After conception, pregnancy lasts more than a year, and the cubs, born with a characteristic striped coloring reminiscent of fawns, need the mother's care for up to 18 months.
Посмотреть эту публикацию в Instagram
Публикация от Boris Droutman (@bodro.photography)
Brazilian tapirs are nocturnal, hiding in dense vegetation during the day. They are excellent swimmers and often escape predators (jaguars, pumas, anacondas) by diving into bodies of water. Their flexible trunk-like noses allow them to efficiently obtain food – leaves, shoots, fruits and aquatic plants.
The average lifespan of tapirs in the wild is 25-30 years, adults reach a length of about 180 centimeters and weigh from 150 to 250 kilograms. Their distinctive feature is their wide, spread toes (four on the front legs and three on the back), allowing them to confidently move through wet and swampy areas of the forest.
The Cunhambebe State Park, where the tapirs were found, covers 38 000 hectares and was created in 2008 specifically to protect endangered species. According to experts, such finds give hope for the restoration of the population.
"The Cunhambebe State Park serves as a sanctuary for species in danger of extinction, allowing the maintenance of several essential ecological interactions such as seed dispersion, population control and genetic flow," INEA said.