Are Tapirs Endangered?


Tapirs are mammals of the Tapiridae, of which there are generally agreed to be four extant species. Although similar in appearance to pigs, tapirs are more closely related to rhinoceroses, horses and other odd-toed ungulates. They are herbivorous, grazing mainly on berries, fruit and leafy vegetation. Their characteristic nose is elongated and fleshy. As with some other mammals, they carry out the flehmen response to register scents in the air. This can be used to find food, detect predators and interpret other information from their environment. Despite having such a great adaptability, populations numbers are being threatened. This is why AnimalWised asks are tapirs endangered?
Tapirs are at risk of extinction, but the extent of this risk varies. This is because the conservation status of tapirs differs according to species, largely due to different threats in their respective environments.
Which tapirs are endangered?
As we have explained, all tapirs have some level of extinction risk. The risk of extinction in different animal species if assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). By looking at population numbers and other factors over time, they can determine the level at which a specific animal is endangered. All tapir species have some level of endangerment, most of which are officially endangered.
The conservation status of each tapir species according to the IUCN are the following:
- Malayan tapir (Tapirus indicus): endangered.
- Mountain tapir (Tapirus pinchaque): endangered.
- Baird's tapir (Tapirus bairdii): endangered.
- South American tapir (Tapirus terrestris): vulnerable.
As we can see, all tapir species are unfortunately at risk. The South American tapir is considered vulnerable, meaning it is at less of a risk of endangerment than the others. A proposed tapir species known as the kabomani tapir (Tapirus kabomani) is generally included in the same species as South American tapir, but there is insufficient information to know its conservation status.
Before we look into detail about the reasons why tapirs are endangered, you may want to learn more about what are ungulate animals such as the tapir?
Why is the tapir in danger of extinction?
The reasons why animals are endangered can vary greatly. Natural changes to populations or their respective environments can influence population decline, but human activity often exacerbates these causes or creates new threats. All tapirs are threatened by human activity, but each species has their own specific issues which influence their conservation status. We explain why each tapir species is endangered:
Malayan tapir
This is a tapir species native to Asia, distributed in various regions of Indonesia (Sumatra), Malaysia, Burma and Thailand. It is also known as the Asian tapir, Indian tapir or piebald tapir, among other names. More than half of the Malayan tapir population has decreased in the last 36 years, leading to its classification of ‘Endangered’. The main threats to the Malayan tapir include:
- Massive deforestation
- Lan conversion of natural habitat to palm oil plantations
- Increased predation on the tapir due to the decline of other prey animals
- Illegal capture for zoos and private collections
- Sport hunting
In addition to the Malayan tapir, you can discover what animals in India are also endangered.
Mountain tapir
Also known as the wooly tapir or Andean tapir, the mountain tapir is native to Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. Unfortunately, the tapir is now considered extinct in Venezuela due to eradication of native populations. Causes of mountain tapir population decline has changed over the years, but its current threats include the following:
- Habitat being used for poppy cultivations
- Deforestation
- Warfare over poppy cultivation
- Habitat transformation and fragmentation for agriculture and livestock
- Hunting
- Mining development
- Creation of new roads
- Building of human infrastructure
- Global warming impacts on habitat
Although three of the four tapir species are considered ‘Endangered’, the mountain tapir is believed to be the most at risk of extinction. It is possible population numbers have decreased to the point that they cannot sustain adequate genetic diversity for the future.
Find out why the red panda is endangered with our related guide.
Baird's tapir
Also called the Central American tapir, the Baird's tapir is native to Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and Panama. It is extinct in El Salvador and is reported to have an uncertain presence in Ecuador. Let's look at the reasons why the Baird's tapir is endangered:
- Habitat destruction due to deforestation
- Mass hunting
- Having a low reproductive rate
- Development of agricultural crops such as oil palm
- Vegetation fires
- Illegal pet trade
- Diseases transmitted by domestic animals
- Continuing effects of climate change.
South American tapir
This tapir species is also known as the Brazilian tapir, lowland tapir, Amazonian tapir and others. Unsurprisingly, it is found in South American countries such as Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, French Guiana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela. Threats to the South American tapir include:
- Deforestation
- Hunting for meat consumption
- Road accidents
- Displacement for livestock farming
- Attacks by wild dogs
- Trading for hides
You can learn more about another type of endangered mammal with our article asking why are Bengal tigers endangered?

What can be done to save tapirs?
The purpose of the IUCN Red List which gives tapirs their conservation status is to promote conservation. As a worldwide institution, they put pressure on governments to conserve animal species. Some of the conservation efforts to help save the tapir from extinction include the following:
Malayan tapir
The Malayan tapir has been made a protected species throughout its Asian habitat range. This animal is found in several National Parks, allowing for better protection due to their strict regulations. Being part of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Appendix I, this species can only be sold in very exceptional cases. Indonesia and Malaysia had developed specific conservation plans for the Malayan tapir, but a current evaluation is needed to know their impact.
Mountain tapir
The mountain tapir is also listed in CITES Appendix I which gives it certain protections. Colombia, Ecuador and Peru maintain it as a protected species. In the Andean region of Colombia, it is found in at least seven protected areas, some of which are Cordillera los Picachos, Cueva de los Guacharos, Las Hermosas and Los Nevados, among others. All countries where the mountain tapir still exists have developed conservation and environmental education plans to protect this animal.
Baird's tapir
This type of tapir is also part of CITES, Appendix I. It lives in some national parks, biosphere reserves and wildlife refuges in certain areas. Mexico, Honduras and Ecuador have developed specific conservation plans for the protection of the Baird's tapir.
South America tapir
The South American tapir is found in various protected areas where regulatory bodies offer them legal and practical protection. Unfortunately, laws are rarely enforced in these areas. It is included in CITES Appendix II, which implies there are controls for its commercialization. Argentina especially and, to some extent, Brazil, have specific plans for the conservation and recovery of the species.
While no tapirs can be found in the wilds of Europe, you can learn more about conservation with our article sharing the most endangered animals in Europe.

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https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T21472A45173636.en - Varela, D., Flesher, K., Cartes, J. L., de Bustos, S., Chalukian, S., Ayala, G., & Richard-Hansen, C. (2019). Tapirus terrestris. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019, e.T21474A45174127.
https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T21474A45174127.en