Ex Situ Conservation-tapir
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EX-SITU CONSERVATION
EX-SITU CONSERVATION IN ZOOS
At least 5,624 species of vertebrate animals are currently threatened with extinction worldwide. The role of zoos in the conservation of biodiversity, and specifically ex situ conservation, became a legal obligation in Europe in 2002 with the implementation of the European Zoos Directive. The Directive was fully incorporated into UK zoo legislation in 2003. Perhaps recognising an opportunity to refute growing scepticism over the keeping of animals in captivity, zoos assumed the role of animal ‘arks’ and promoted their new conservation purpose.
However, despite claims by zoos that their contribution to conservation is significant, to date there has been no reliable mechanism to assess zoos’ performance. Should the conservation credentials of zoos be taken on trust? In the last 12 months, the Born Free Foundation has undertaken a series of investigations to assess the conservation commitment of the UK’s more ‘progressive’ zoos.
MALAYAN TAPIR
MALAYAN TAPIR
Scientific Name: Tapirus indicus
Classification: Order : Perissodactyla Family : Tapiridae
MALAYAN TAPIR
Description: The color pattern of the young is different from the parent, where the young is black with white spots and stripes. The transition to the adult colour pattern begins at about 3 months of age. Tapir can live for 25-35 years.
Behavior: Adults are solitary, being accompanied only by dependent young. Active largely but not exclusively by night wandering long distances on regular trails through the forest.
MALAYAN TAPIR
Habitat: In forests from the lowlands to mountain tops. Reproduction: One young is born after a gestation period of 13 - 13½ months.
Similar Species: South American Tapirs.
Other names: Malayan tapir, badak (Malaysia and Indonesia), som-set (Thailand).
Diet: Leaves, grass and fallen fruits.
Range:
This species is found from southern Thailand and southern Myanmar (Burma) through the Malayan Peninsular and on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. It occurs in rainforests and lower montane forests. It survives well in secondary, regenerating native forests.
Characteristics: Up to 1.8 meters long (6 feet) and 350 kg (720 pounds). It is the largest of the four tapir species.
Status: Endangered
Conservation threats: Habitat destruction and fragmentation is the primary threat. Large scale deforestation, including illegal logging for timber, is a major source of habitat loss. The growth of palm oil plantations is also a major factor in habitat loss. Hunting is also on the rise as other large "prey" species in the area are reduced in number.
Population Estimate (2008): 1500-2000 individuals. Numbers are decreasing.
Behavior Mating: Primarily solitary, the species forms occasional associations for breeding. Sounds: Communication is by a range of whistles of different pitch and duration. Activity: More active throughout the night but often seen during the day, including feeding. The species frequently defecates in water as well as on land. The spraying of urine onto vegetation and trees is thought to be associated with home range marking. There is no evidence of exclusive territoriality. Males appear to have small home ranges (about 1-2 sq km) and females possibly range more widely. Feeding habits: The species eats the twigs and growing tips of a wide range of understorey vegetation, including snapping small to large saplings with its mouth to get to plant parts that are out of reach. It also takes a large variety of fruits and leaves from the forest floor. Other: A lot is still unknown about this species. It is vulnerable to predation by tigers. Its only defense is to run through thick vegetation. It has very thick and tough skin, particularly on its hindquarters. It also has a vicious bite.
habitat
Top priority actions steps:
Tapir-specific recommendations
4.
Design and implement two detailed field studies (Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia) to generate more precise estimates of selected demographic parameters: Density and Survival rates (primarily of adults). Improve/complement our database on distribution of Malay tapirs throughout their range. Design and implementation of a study to evaluate the genetic diversity of Malay tapirs throughout their range. Develop an assessment of the level of extraction of Malay tapirs (hunting, by-catch, hit by cars, etc). Periodic supplement of results from long-term studies into Malay tapir database. Design and implement two detailed field studies (Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia) to generate more precise estimates of selected demographic parameters: Density and Survival rates (primarily of adults) Develop an assessment of the level of extraction of Malay tapirs (hunting, by-catch, road kills, etc) Design and implementation of a study to evaluate the genetic diversity of Malay tapirs throughout their range
5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
10. 11.
Threats to Tapirs Top three priority action steps: 1. To conduct awareness campaign about the importance of buffer zones in all four range countries (directed towards the communities around Protected Areas, managers and relevant authorities) 2. To develop Terms of Reference for landscape planning with inclusion of conservation considerations 3. To create incentives and support for people “on the ground” to enforce the law
How Tapirs Escape Predators 1.
tapirs produce one offspring (rarely twins) per birth. This offspring is born ready to walk - another anti-preadator adaptation. It is no wonder that tapirs gestate for 12-13 months and breed in the wild only once every other year (though, there is one field report of a female tapir in oestrus 18 months after her previous birth). Compare the tapir’s reproductive strategy to that of pigs, which can give birth to large numbers (4-12) of undeveloped offspring every year. So, tapirs are born ready to move and avoid predators by staying next to their mothers, at a considerable energetic cost to the mother.
4.
regards to protection from predators when the young are left behind. Tapirs are born with a brown to reddish-brown pelage, with rows of white dots. This coloration has long been suspected to aid in camouflaging the baby tapir - another adaptation to avoid predation.
1.
How do tapirs escape predators? tapirs run through thickets of forest and/or dive into rivers or deep pools of water. A galloping tapir breaks through bushes with branches 3-4 inches (8-10 cm) thick. A small cat gripping the back of the tapir will have a hard time holding on to its prey if it’s being hit by thick branches. Also, although cats can and do swim, they are no match to the natatory prowess of a tapir, which can go under water for a minute and thus escape the chasing predator. Despite all their adaptations to avoid predation, there is still one predator tapirs of any age are unable to escape – relentless and insatiable – man.
THE END
EX-SITU CONSERVATION IN ZOOS
At least 5,624 species of vertebrate animals are currently threatened with extinction worldwide. The role of zoos in the conservation of biodiversity, and specifically ex situ conservation, became a legal obligation in Europe in 2002 with the implementation of the European Zoos Directive. The Directive was fully incorporated into UK zoo legislation in 2003. Perhaps recognising an opportunity to refute growing scepticism over the keeping of animals in captivity, zoos assumed the role of animal ‘arks’ and promoted their new conservation purpose.
However, despite claims by zoos that their contribution to conservation is significant, to date there has been no reliable mechanism to assess zoos’ performance. Should the conservation credentials of zoos be taken on trust? In the last 12 months, the Born Free Foundation has undertaken a series of investigations to assess the conservation commitment of the UK’s more ‘progressive’ zoos.
MALAYAN TAPIR
MALAYAN TAPIR
Scientific Name: Tapirus indicus
Classification: Order : Perissodactyla Family : Tapiridae
MALAYAN TAPIR
Description: The color pattern of the young is different from the parent, where the young is black with white spots and stripes. The transition to the adult colour pattern begins at about 3 months of age. Tapir can live for 25-35 years.
Behavior: Adults are solitary, being accompanied only by dependent young. Active largely but not exclusively by night wandering long distances on regular trails through the forest.
MALAYAN TAPIR
Habitat: In forests from the lowlands to mountain tops. Reproduction: One young is born after a gestation period of 13 - 13½ months.
Similar Species: South American Tapirs.
Other names: Malayan tapir, badak (Malaysia and Indonesia), som-set (Thailand).
Diet: Leaves, grass and fallen fruits.
Range:
This species is found from southern Thailand and southern Myanmar (Burma) through the Malayan Peninsular and on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. It occurs in rainforests and lower montane forests. It survives well in secondary, regenerating native forests.
Characteristics: Up to 1.8 meters long (6 feet) and 350 kg (720 pounds). It is the largest of the four tapir species.
Status: Endangered
Conservation threats: Habitat destruction and fragmentation is the primary threat. Large scale deforestation, including illegal logging for timber, is a major source of habitat loss. The growth of palm oil plantations is also a major factor in habitat loss. Hunting is also on the rise as other large "prey" species in the area are reduced in number.
Population Estimate (2008): 1500-2000 individuals. Numbers are decreasing.
Behavior Mating: Primarily solitary, the species forms occasional associations for breeding. Sounds: Communication is by a range of whistles of different pitch and duration. Activity: More active throughout the night but often seen during the day, including feeding. The species frequently defecates in water as well as on land. The spraying of urine onto vegetation and trees is thought to be associated with home range marking. There is no evidence of exclusive territoriality. Males appear to have small home ranges (about 1-2 sq km) and females possibly range more widely. Feeding habits: The species eats the twigs and growing tips of a wide range of understorey vegetation, including snapping small to large saplings with its mouth to get to plant parts that are out of reach. It also takes a large variety of fruits and leaves from the forest floor. Other: A lot is still unknown about this species. It is vulnerable to predation by tigers. Its only defense is to run through thick vegetation. It has very thick and tough skin, particularly on its hindquarters. It also has a vicious bite.
habitat
Top priority actions steps:
Tapir-specific recommendations
4.
Design and implement two detailed field studies (Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia) to generate more precise estimates of selected demographic parameters: Density and Survival rates (primarily of adults). Improve/complement our database on distribution of Malay tapirs throughout their range. Design and implementation of a study to evaluate the genetic diversity of Malay tapirs throughout their range. Develop an assessment of the level of extraction of Malay tapirs (hunting, by-catch, hit by cars, etc). Periodic supplement of results from long-term studies into Malay tapir database. Design and implement two detailed field studies (Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia) to generate more precise estimates of selected demographic parameters: Density and Survival rates (primarily of adults) Develop an assessment of the level of extraction of Malay tapirs (hunting, by-catch, road kills, etc) Design and implementation of a study to evaluate the genetic diversity of Malay tapirs throughout their range
5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
10. 11.
Threats to Tapirs Top three priority action steps: 1. To conduct awareness campaign about the importance of buffer zones in all four range countries (directed towards the communities around Protected Areas, managers and relevant authorities) 2. To develop Terms of Reference for landscape planning with inclusion of conservation considerations 3. To create incentives and support for people “on the ground” to enforce the law
How Tapirs Escape Predators 1.
tapirs produce one offspring (rarely twins) per birth. This offspring is born ready to walk - another anti-preadator adaptation. It is no wonder that tapirs gestate for 12-13 months and breed in the wild only once every other year (though, there is one field report of a female tapir in oestrus 18 months after her previous birth). Compare the tapir’s reproductive strategy to that of pigs, which can give birth to large numbers (4-12) of undeveloped offspring every year. So, tapirs are born ready to move and avoid predators by staying next to their mothers, at a considerable energetic cost to the mother.
4.
regards to protection from predators when the young are left behind. Tapirs are born with a brown to reddish-brown pelage, with rows of white dots. This coloration has long been suspected to aid in camouflaging the baby tapir - another adaptation to avoid predation.
1.
How do tapirs escape predators? tapirs run through thickets of forest and/or dive into rivers or deep pools of water. A galloping tapir breaks through bushes with branches 3-4 inches (8-10 cm) thick. A small cat gripping the back of the tapir will have a hard time holding on to its prey if it’s being hit by thick branches. Also, although cats can and do swim, they are no match to the natatory prowess of a tapir, which can go under water for a minute and thus escape the chasing predator. Despite all their adaptations to avoid predation, there is still one predator tapirs of any age are unable to escape – relentless and insatiable – man.
THE END
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