Tapir Conservation
 ST Newsletter of he IUCWSSC Tapir Specialist Group

Number 7, October 1997


Editor:
Sharon Matola, TSG Chair
Co-Editor:
Sheryl Todd, TSG Deputy Chair

The views in Tapir Conservation do
not necessarily reflect those of the IUCN
nor the entire IUCN/SSC Tapir
Specialist Group (TSG). The objective
ofrapir Conservation is to offer the
members of the IUCN/SSC Tapir
Specialist Group and others concerned
with the family Tapiridae, news briefs,
opinions, and general information about
this threatened mammalian genus.
Anyone wishing to contribute to Tapir
Conservation, please send materials to:

Sharon Matola
Chairperson
IUCN/SSC Tapir Specialist Group
PO. Box 1787
Belize City, Belize, Central America
BelizeZoo@btLnet
Phone 501-081-3004
Fax 501-081-3004

Sheryl Todd
Tapir Prsenration Fund
PO. Box 1432
Palisade, Colorado 81526 USA
tapir@tapirback.om
Phone (970) 464-0321
Fax (970) 464-0377

Produced with assistance from
Wildlife Preservation Trust,
International, 1520 Locust Street,
Suite 704, Philadelphia,
PA 19102 USA;
Ph (215) 731-9770;
Fax (215) 731-9766;
WPTI@aol.com


I1


Issue #7 of TapiP Conspv#ionH
offers new avenues of information


For the first time since the formation
of the Tapir Specialist Group, increased
communications have added exciting
new avenues of information for
everyone interested in tapirs.
 The Tapir Specialist Group is
fortunate to have the enthusiastic
participation ofSheryl Todd. For over
twenty years, Sheryl has held a strong
interest in tapirs. She was instrumental
in founding the Tapir Research
Institute located in California, where
she successfully raised both T terrestris
and T airdii young. Life changed,
Sheryl found herselfin a world
different than one dominated by tapirs,
but her enthusiasm for these animals
never faded. Today, she is back on line
to assist with tapir conservation. She
accepted the position of Deputy Chair
of the TSG in early September.
 Besides creating a world wide web
site for tapirs, "The Tapir Gallery,"
httpi/ www.tapirbackicom/tapirgal,
Sheryl has brought to life a unique
communications network through
Tapir Talk. Access to Tapir Talk is easy:
through e-mail. Write to Sheryl Todd at
tapir@apirback com; include the
words, "Tapir Talk" in the subject line.
That's all one needs to do to key into
compelling conversations about the
latest research, and a variety of topics
which address all species of tapir.
 Some highlights of recent Tapir Talk
e-mailings are included in this issue.
 On the downside of
communications, frequently no
response is received from people who
consider themselves "tapirologists,"
when their suggestions and advice or


comments are requested.
 It is our hope that the tapir
communication network will continue
to grow stronger and more productive.
Thanks to all who have been active in
the TSG, providing valuable
information and ideas.



Action Plan
The Tapir Action Plan is being finalized
in IUCN headquarters, Gland,
Switzerland and will soon be published.


Symposium
A symposium targeting Field Research
in MesoAmerica is in planning stages.
The venue is the Tropical Education
Center at the Belize Zoo and the
tentative date is August 1998. See
enclosed flyer for complete informa-
tion. A sub-meeting of the TSG will be
held.



Contents
NEWS FROM THE HELD 6
 North America 6
 CentralAmerica 6
 South America 10
 Asia 16
 NEWS FROM CAPFIITI 17
 THE BACK PAGE 20


Newsletter ofthe IUCN/SSC Tapir SpecialistGroup Editor Sharon Matola P.O. Box 1787, Belize City, Belize E-mail: BelizeZoo@btLnct