Distribution and conservation status of the mountain tapir (Tapirus pinchaque) in Peru

• Published in: Journal for nature conservation Vol. 66; p. 126130
• Main Authors: More, Alexander, Devenish, Christian, Carrillo-Tavara, Katty, Piana, Renzo P., Lopez-Malaga, Cristina, Vega-Guarderas, Zoila, Nuñez-Cortez, Elio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier GmbH 01-04-2022
• Subjects: Conservation; Distribution; Mountain Tapir; Peru; Tapirus pinchaque; Threats; Threats; Mountain Tapir; Tapirus pinchaque; Peru; Distribution; Conservation
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2022.126130
• EISSN: 1618-1093
• ISSN: 1617-1381

•Mountain tapir Tapirus pinchaque is one of the largest and most threatened mammals of the northern Andes.•Tapir range derived from distribution model using sightings, camera traps, remote sensing, and expert post-processing.•Tapir range of 183,000 ha in Peru, of which 60% is within protected areas, and 27% in mining concessions.•28,000 ha of deforestation over 20 years within tapir Extent of Occurrence in Peru.•Recommendations: increase protection in important areas, ensure connectivity with Ecuador, flagship species for water conservation.
The mountain tapir Tapirus pinchaque is one of the largest and most threatened mammals of the northern South American Andes. It is distributed in montane forests and paramos mainly above 2000 m, from Colombia to north Peru. The species is categorised as globally Endangered and is mainly threatened by habitat degradation, habitat loss and fragmentation. Although up-to-date information is lacking in Peru on its distribution, population and conservation status, this population could play an important part in the global persistence of the species. We compiled all known recent occurrence records for the species from Peru, as well as data from camera traps with an effort of over 10,000 camera/days between 2016 and 2018. We modelled the tapir’s distribution using remote-sensed vegetation indices, topographic and bioclimatic variables in MaxEnt, followed by post-processing steps to remove unoccupied areas, to produce a current range map for the species in Peru. We overlaid this with spatial information on threats and protected areas. We estimate a range of almost 183,000 ha in Peru, in two main regions, north and south of the Huancabamba river, of which approximately 60% is within protected areas. However, protection gaps still exist, especially in the south of its range. Mining concessions cover 27% of its current range and we estimate 28,000 ha of forest loss within its extent of occurrence between 2001 and 2020. We provide recommendations for its conservation, including priority areas for increased protection, binational initiatives to ensure connectivity with populations in Ecuador and to use the tapir as a flagship species in efforts to protect montane ecosystems for water conservation.