The tapir (Tapirus terrestris) is the largest terrestrial mammal in South America. In Colombia, this species primarily inhabits tropical rainforests and lowland humid forests, closely associated with river courses and swampy areas. The endemic subspecies Tapirus terrestris colombianus, which is found in the country, is listed as Critically Endangered due to habitat loss and illegal hunting.
The tapir is herbivorous and plays a crucial role in forest regeneration by dispersing seeds through its feces, earning it the nickname "gardener of the forest".
The main threats to the tapir in Colombia include deforestation, agricultural and livestock expansion, and indiscriminate hunting, which has significantly reduced its population and fragmented its habitat.
The species is crucial for the ecological balance of its environment, as its disappearance would disrupt the successional dynamics of the forests, affecting biodiversity in these areas. Currently, conservation efforts are being implemented in protected areas and monitoring programs to improve its situation, but the challenge remains quite ambitious.
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