Ruben Wdforido Noiies Sanchrz
Rocafuerte 806 yJuan Le6n Mera
Barrio Ecologico 5 dejunio
Baios, Tungurahua, Ecuador


Peru
Lowland tapir (Tapirus trrestis)
Estimated population: Unknown
Mountain tapir (Tapirus pinchaque)
Estimated population: 200
Jorge Cebreros reports seeing tracks
and feces of mountain tapir at
approximately seven of the lakes in the
Tabaconas/Namballe National
Sanctuary which borders the
Tabaconas alley (aka "Spectacled Bear
National Sanctuary") earlier this year.
The lakes are at an elevation of about
3,400m and the lowland tapir is not
known to exist over 1500m (Downer
1996) or 2000m (Constantino, pers.
comm.). A large number of bear and
puma tracks were also seen.
 The local Forestry Department has
just made a trail to these lakes. If hikers
use only the prepared trail, there will
be less damage to the fragile ecosystem
than if each person entering the area
creates his own pathway. These
pathways can even be accidental, as it's
difficult to walk on the steep, muddy
slope without creating a trail. Trails
used by humans were often created
first by tapirs and are still used by
them. "The whole area surrounding
the lakes is like a sponge," says
Cebreros, "and just stepping on this
sponge can leave a permanent
footprint. Hopefully by educating the
local people we can help offset any
potential damage before it's too late.
SIAT (Instituto para la Agricultura
Sustentable del Tr6pico), along with its
staff, is willing to help. In our area
there is much superstition, and I have
personally seen many hooves in the
local markets. People still hunt for
tapirs here." SIAT uses both the
spectacled bear and the mountain tapir
on their logo.
 An expedition to the lakes will take
place during the first week of
November, 1998. About 12 people,
mostly from the Forestry Department,
are going to look for the mountain
tapir and make an inventory of the


flora. They plan to stay about a week.
They would like to set up a permanent
lookout to confirm the mountain
tapirs' existence here. There is some
concern about whether the tapirs will
leave the area if they are disturbed.
The Forestry Service hopes to set aside
areas that will maintain the pristine
environment and will be offlimits to
humans. "

Jorge Cebrern
President, SIAT
Instituto para a Agiculturm Sustentable del
Trdpico (Insitutefor Sustainable Agricuture
in the Tropics)
RO. Box 1,Jaen Per
Tel/Fax: (51-44) 73 1592
http://wwun.cosapidata.com.pe/enmprsa/siat/s
iat.htm
siarmail.cosapidata.com.pe



Bolivia
Lowland tapir (Tapiras trestis)
Estimated population: Unknown
The Museum of Natural History
"Noel Kempff Mercado" in Santa
Cruz, Bolivia, is working on a study to
determine whether any differences
exist between the lowland tapir (Tapirus
enrrstris) found in the dry forests of
southern Bolivia and the lowland tapir
that inhabits Brazil's Amazon region.
The museum has not been able to
locate any published studies that
would reveal genetic variations.

Teddy Marcelo Siles L.azZ
Universidad Gabriel Rene Moreno
Av Irala #565
Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Santa Cruz Bolivia
triles@museo.scz.net



Paraguay
Lowland tapir (TapIrs efrestls)
Estimated population: Unknown
No report.


Argentina
Lowland tapir (Tapirs terrsstris)
Estimated population: Unknown
No report.



Uruguay
Lowland tapir (Tpirau terrsses)
Estimated population Unknown
No report.


Southeast Asia


Myanmar

(Burma)
Malayan tapir (Tpirus indicus)
Estimated population: Unknown
No report.



Laos
Malayan tapir (Taplrus krndes)
Estimated population Unknown
No report.



Vietnam
Malayan tapir (Tapirs Indicus)
Estimated population: Unknown
No report.



Thailand
Malayan tapir (Tapues idicus)
Estimated population: 3.500 (updated)
Although the Royal Forest Department
(RFD) has not carried out any research
on the Malayan tapir (Tapirus indicus),
they, along with Mahidol University in
Bangkok, manage a database of
sightings/distribution of endangered


Tapir Conservaon. Newsletter of the IUCN/SSC Tapir Specilist Group Editor: Sharon Matola. RO. Box 1787. Belize City, Belize E-mail BelizeZoo@btl.net / page 15