Ecuador Field Report, 1999

In May, Dr. Marcela Uhart traveled to the high Andes of Ecuador to assist WCS research fellow Dr. Craig Downer with his Mountain Tapir Project. The main objective of her visit was to assist in the immobilization and translocation of a pair of mountain tapirs as a feasibility exercise.

Dr. Downer has radio-tracked mountain tapirs for the last ten years, learning about their home ranges, migration patterns, social behaviors and feeding habits. He has devoted the last two years to obtaining permits, funding and logistical support from the Ecuadorian government and other non-governmental institutions for the translocation of mountain tapirs. His project originated from the recommendations listed in the Action Plan created by the IUCN SSC Tapir Specialist Group. The proposed rescue strategy called for the translocation of mountain tapir pairs from over-hunted areas to protected national parks for the re-establishment of viable tapir populations in areas where they have become extinct.

Mountain tapirs (also known as woolly tapirs) are smaller than other tapirs. They are shy but impressive creatures, superbly adapted to their home in the high Andean clouded forest (7,000-13,000 feet above sea level). Muscular, agile and covered with long dark hair, they have stark white markings around their lips, giving them an almost clown-like appearance. Presently the range of this unique animal is restricted to parts of Colombia, Ecuador and northern Peru, but they may have inhabited Venezuela at one time. Mountain tapirs are severely endangered, mostly due to over-hunting, habitat destruction and the resulting population fragmentation. As human populations encroach on mountain habitat, with slash-and-burn agriculture and cattle grazing in the steep, easily eroded Andes, the "living sponge" -- the high Andean watershed upon which all life downslope depends – is steadily being destroyed. Woolly mountain tapirs also play a crucial role as seed dispersers and may be considered “indicator species” for the ecological health of the high northern Andes.

With the collaboration of the Ecuadorian Army and a local TV station, the translocation team traveled North to a small village called La Bonita, near the Colombian border. Guerrilla activity in the area was a major concern for the Army, which limited both capture site selection possibilities and their willingness to cooperate completely with the operation. On the other hand, the major concern for the rest of the team was the availability of the Army helicopter once the tapirs were immobilized. High mountains, deep river canyons and dense clouds and rain proved to be less-than-ideal conditions for landing a military transport helicopter.

Working in the high-clouded forest is logistically very difficult, and capturing tapirs safely in this environment can be quite challenging. The traditional capture method used by local experienced hunters is tracking and chasing the animals with dogs. When the tapirs try to escape by heading for rivers, they become easy targets. However, on this trip (despite the best efforts of local guides and hunters on the team) the main difficulty was simply finding the animals. After several failed capture attempts over more than a week of intense field work, the Army and TV withdrew their support from the project.

Even though the tapir translocation attempt was not successful, visiting the capture sites and meeting the people involved (both governmental and scientific participants) was highly enlightening. The information gained will be extremely useful for outlining recommendations for future actions. If this type of project is to be conducted again, capture sites must be selected taking into account all the logistical limitations; truly experienced hunters and well-trained dogs will be necessary; and strong institutional support with a long-term commitment to the project will be a key element. Finally, the project will need assurance that a significant number of individuals can be translocated in order to establish viable populations in new areas, and make a significant contribution to the conservation of the species.

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