More than a century has passed since the last observation of a South -American Tapir, a species that was previously assumed as extinct, until a recent, surprising observation in Brazil was reported.
Hidden cameras that were placed deep in the dense growth of the Atlantic Forest in Cunhambbe State Park revealed a shocking scene: not one, not two, but three South American Tapirs.
The family members of the rhinos were supposed to be extinct before the unexpected observation in January.
The last known observation of the incredibly rare herbivore, also known as the Brazilian Tapir, was in the Serra Dos órgãos National Park – about 87 miles from Cunhambebe – more than 100 years ago in 1914.
A total of 108 images and videos compiled by the State Environmental Institute of Rio de Janeiro revealed the presence of three tapirs, which ran through the Staatspark.
The re -release of the largest terrestrial mammal in South America is enthusiastic about nature conservationists and scientists in the region, since many consider the perception to be an 'encouraging sign'.
“This challenge reflects the importance of protected areas and conservation efforts in the recovery of emblematic species,” an Ina spokesperson told Diarioas.
Also known as the South -American Tapir, the Maned Tapir and the Lowland Tapir, the Brazilian Tapir can be found in the rainforests of South America.
More than a century has passed since the last observation of a South -American Tapir (photo), a species that was previously assumed, until a recent, surprising observation was reported in Brazil
Hidden cameras that were placed deep in the dense growth of the Atlantic Forest in Cunhambebe State Park revealed a shocking face – three South American Tapirs
The Lowland Tapir is just one of the four types of Tapir, a mammal that has been around since the Eocene era – about 35 million years ago.
The other species include Baird's Tapir, Mountain Tapir and the Malaysian Tapir.
Populations for all four species have steadily decreased and are all classified as threatened, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Tapirs of all species have experienced a steep decline in the last hundred years, because urbanization, deforestation and poaching threaten the decreasing population.
To make things more, female Maned Tapirs can only get pregnant for two days every two to three months.
And, once pregnant, the mother Tapir will wear the baby for more than a year before giving the birth, so that he earns a low reproductive speed and a high child dying rate.
A baby -tapirs have brown coat with white stripes, similar to those of a series, to help them merge in the rainforest floor. The white stripes of their babies, however, fade over the time as the calves mature.
A total of 108 images and videos compiled by the State Environmental Institute of Rio de Janeiro revealed the presence of three tapirs, which ran through the Staatspark. Displayed: Wild Tapirs were caught on the camera in the Staatspark Cunhambebe, in the south of the state of Rio de Janeiro
The Lowland Tapir is just one of the four types of tapir, a mammal that has inhabited the earth since the Eocene era – about 35 million years ago
After 18 months with the mother, a tapirkalf is considered fully grown, but it can remain his mother.
Brazilian Tapirs live about 25 to 30 years in the wild.
The Brazilian Tapir is more abundant than the other three types of Tapir, but is still considered 'vulnerable to extinction' by the IUCN Red List.
The Brazilian Tapir has a long and flexible snout that helps them to feed with leaves, buttons, shoots, fruit, grass and aquatic plants.
They generally only feed themselves at night and hide in the cool forest during the day.
According to Animalfactguide.com with a weight of 330-550 pounds, Brazilian tapirs usually become about 6 feet long.
Adult Brazilian tapirs have brown coats that vary in shade, with darker hair on their firm legs and short, stiff moons. They also have short tails.
Brazilian Tapirs usually live near water and are capable swimmers and divers.
The Brazilian Tapir has a long and flexible snout that helps them to feed with leaves, buttons, shoots, fruit, grass and aquatic plants
They sometimes run to the water to escape from dangerous predators, such as Jaguars, Pumas and Anacondas, the Animalfactguide reported.
Spread toes, four on every front foot and three on each rear foot, successfully help the Tapir by navigating damp soil.
Cunhambebe stands as a 'Unit Conservation Project' that set up a vast 38,000 hectare in 2008, intended to offer an essential refuge for species in danger to extinction.
'The PEC [Cunhambebe State Park] Serves as a refuge for species in the danger of extinction, which makes various essential ecological interactions such as seed dispersion, population control and genetic current possible '.
