Colombian Tapir Rediscovered in Central Colombia

Critically Endangered tapir found in Central Colombia

February 2013. The Critically Endangered subspecies of Colombian Tapir has been rediscovered in the Paujil Nature Reserve after being considered extinct in the Magdalena Valley rainforests of central Colombia. Camera trap photos and fresh tracks of this rare creature from the Paujil Reserve demonstrate that the purchase and active protection of the last remnant of rainforest in the Magdalena Valley can make a real difference to saving species on the edge of extinction.

Lost 97% of forest habitat
One of the rarest and least-known large mammals of South America, the Colombian Tapir (Tapirus terrestris columbianus) has lost over 97% of its lowland rainforest habitat and has been almost entirely exterminated by hunting in what little forest survives. For a decade the Tapir was considered extirpated across its core Magdalena Valley rainforest range with only a few individuals known to survive in the heavily hunted forests of northernmost Colombia.

After a lapse of more than 10 years, one individual has been rediscovered and confirmed by camera traps and tracks from the Paujil Nature Reserve--the last protected block of rainforest in the Magdalena Valley of Central Colombia. Since 2008, World Land Trust-US has supported their Colombian partner, Fundación ProAves, in expanding the Paujil Nature Reserve to protect more than 8,000 acres of rainforest--the last refuge for many endangered and endemicspecies. This discovery highlights the urgency to further expand the reserve to restore and protect what little remains of this unique habitat and its incredible wildlife.

Continued: http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/colombian-tapir.html