Tapirs are a living fossil; they’be been around since the Eocene, having survived 
waves of extinction of other animals. The four species of tapirs represent a unique biology as well as a vital role in the ecosystems they inhabit, from dispersing seeds to digging burrows used by many other species for refuge.
Once widely abundant in their habitats, tapir populations have been in sharp decline in recent decades, leading to three of the four species becoming listed as Endangered.
The future of tapirs is threatened due to rapid decline and fragmentation of their habitat due to deforestation, agriculture and human habitation. Hunting and mining have also contributed to their loss.
The Tapir Specialist Group supports the study of tapirs and their habitat, in order to gain a better understanding of their biology and perspectives on the most successful methods to guarantee their long term survival in the wild.
source : Tapir Specialist Group
