In early 2025, motion-triggered camera traps deep in the protected Cunhambebe Forest of southeastern Brazil captured something no one expected: the South American tapir (Tapirus terrestris)—not just one, but a female with two calves.
This marks the first confirmed sighting of the species in the state of Rio de Janeiro since 1914. For more than a century, this gentle herbivore had vanished from the region without a trace. And now, as quietly as it left, it has returned.
A Return No One Planned
There were no rewilding programs, no relocation campaigns. The animals reappeared on their own, much to the astonishment—and delight—of ecologists.
“The spontaneous return of the tapirs is a powerful signal that the forests of Rio de Janeiro can once again support large mammals,” said Marcelo Cupello, a biologist with the state’s Environmental Institute (INEA).
The Forest Gardener
Weighing up to 320 kilograms (700 pounds), the South American tapir is the largest land mammal in the continent. Despite its size, it's a nocturnal creature that prefers to move unseen.
But its ecological role is anything but invisible. Known as “gardeners of the forest,” tapirs eat fruits and vegetation, dispersing seeds far and wide through their droppings. They also clear dense undergrowth with their powerful bodies, opening up trails that benefit other wildlife.
Why They Disappeared
Their century-long absence is no mystery. Tapirs vanished from Rio de Janeiro due to:
- Widespread deforestation of the Atlantic Forest
- Agricultural expansion
- Urban sprawl
- Poaching
- Loss of natural migration corridors
Not Just Tourists?
The presence of a mother with two calves raises the tantalizing possibility that this isn’t just a rogue family—it could be the first step in a local population’s recovery.
“This sighting highlights the value of protected areas and restoration efforts for symbolic species,” INEA emphasized.
A Species on the Brink
The South American tapir is one of four tapir species worldwide—all of which are listed as threatened or endangered. The others—the mountain tapir, Baird’s tapir, and Malayan tapir—are also struggling against habitat loss and human encroachment.
What was once thought a tragic, irreversible loss may now be seen as a pause. Nature might be giving us a second chance.
What Comes Next
Conservationists now face urgent questions:
- What are the tapirs’ movement patterns?
- Are there more individuals nearby?
- Where did they come from, genetically speaking?
- Can their corridors be protected in time?
To answer these, researchers need more than science—they need public support and political will. The protection of endangered species is not just an ecological task, but a national responsibility.
