The results of research conducted by the Wildlife Conservation Society on tapir (Tapirus terrestris) in the Greater Madidi-Tambopata Landscape confirm the importance of Madidi, Pilon Lajas, Tambopata and Bahuaja Sonene protected areas for the conservation of the species at continental level, which is significant given their threatening situation throughout its range, categorized as vulnerable (VU) by IUCN.
The recent article "Lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris) distribution, activity patterns and relative abundance in the Greater Madidi-Tambopata Landscape ", published in the international scientific journal "Integrative Zoology", summarizes the results of twelve years of research of the species in the landscape. This information was generated by WCS (between 2001 and 2010) through camera trap photographic records, line transects and interviews to park rangers of five protected areas (Madidi, Pilon Lajas, Apolobamba in Bolivia, Bahuaja Sonene and Tambopata in Peru) and hunters of 19 indigenous Tacana and T’simane communities, in coordination with both Bolivian and Peruvian National Protected Area Services, the Takana Indigenous People Council (CIPTA) and the T'simane Mosetene Regional Council (CRTM). Historical data from 1995 onwards was also used that had been systematized by WCS in the book "Distribution, ecology and conservation of medium and large sized mammals of Bolivia". Tapir records in the Bolivian side of the landscape represent 75% of the available distribution points for the entire country and have provided an essential baseline for monitoring the species in the northern Amazonian lowlands of Bolivia.
The distribution data of 1,255 records helped estimate the distribution of the species in the region. Although the tapir has a wide distribution below 2,000 meters above sea level, they are concentrated below 500 meters (92% of records), showing that the Amazonian lowlands are the primary habitat of the species.
At least 24.3% of the estimated distribution is in protected areas and also display the highest relative abundance (2.66 independent tapir events/100 camera trap nights) in relation to other places outside protected areas (1.03 independent tapir events/100 camera trap nights). These data calculated with camera traps in the region since 2001 indicate that protected areas are effectively contributing to the conservation and, in some cases, the recovery of tapir populations. In the Tuichi valley within the Madidi National Park, it was possible to verify an increase in their population comparing abundance data of three surveys conducted in 2001: 1,8 independent tapir events/100 nights camera traps, in 2002: 2,9 independent tapir events/100 nights camera traps and in 2008: 6,3 independent tapir events/100 camera trap nights).
Finally, an estimate of the total population within the transboundary landscape was made, amounting to 14,540 individuals, emphasizing that the tapir population of the Greater Madidi-Tambopata Landscape is one of the largest in the continent. However, habitat loss and overhunting caused by infrastructure projects, illegal logging and mining may endanger the health of their populations. Therefore it is essential to ensure ecosystem connectivity between protected areas and other land management units and support indigenous communities in sustainable management of hunting and the development of economic alternatives.