Javier Jiménez
Senior WriterHead of science, health and environment at Xataka. Methodologist turned communicator, I write about science, ideas and social change. LinkedIn
Rio de Janeiro’s State Institute of Environment recently shared several photos and videos of a pair of tapirs and their calf strolling through the dense Atlantic Forest in the southwest of the Brazilian state.
This discovery wouldn’t be particularly remarkable if it weren’t for one crucial detail: The last tapir sighted in the region was in 1914, more than 100 years ago.
What happened to tapirs? An explosive combination of rapid urban population growth along the entire corridor from São Paulo to Rio de Janeiro and intensive hunting placed significant pressure on tapir populations, leading to their classification as “endangered species.”
This critical situation generated unforeseen problems. Just as a small number of wolves can quickly change the course of a river, what impact could a species known as the “gardeners of the forest” have? Tapirs play a vital role in maintaining the ecological balance of the region.
How did tapirs come back? Cunhambebe State Park, which covers around 38,000 hectares in the Brazilian areas of Angra dos Reis, Rio Claro, Itaguaí, and Mangaratiba, was created in 2008. The park’s purpose was to create a sanctuary that supported the survival of key biodiversity species and promoted the health of local ecosystems.
The technicians involved hoped that by ensuring certain spaces for essential ecological processes, such as seed dispersal and gene flow, these interactions could sustain the balance and resilience of the Atlantic Forest.
An important lesson. The reintroduction of large animals into specific ecosystems is becoming increasingly common. The outcomes from Cunhambebe State Park emphasize the significance of protected areas.
This highlights the importance of establishing refuges, supporting robust and thriving ecosystems, and creating environments where nature can flourish without human pressures. The case of tapirs in Brazil shows that this approach can yield positive results in many cases.
However, these interventions must be carried out with great care. While species can significantly contribute to the recovery of ecosystems, there’s always a risk that those same species could disrupt the balance if not managed properly.
Image | Edwin Petrus
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