Seeking to save the Tapir in Yucatán

Yucatecan businessmen have invested more than 15 million pesos in the creation of a Management and Conservation Unit called “Tapir Sanctuary” in Yucatan, said biologist Epigmenio Cruz Aldan, responsible for environmental projects of the Libera group in the state, who said that this figure could be doubled.

In a press conference to announce this project, and within the framework of Tapir Day, he pointed out that what is sought is to create a space where actions are carried out to improve the current population of this Mexican species in danger of extinction.
He pointed out that this space would have four pairs of tapirs, in order to look for their reproduction and thus implement a repopulation of this species in the State.

He said that this is a wild species that was found in nine states in the country and that now only exists in four, and in very low populations, being Yucatan one of those that lost this animal due to deforestation and hunting, because for more than 50 years they have not been found in the wild in their habitat.

“There are only wild tapirs in Campeche, Quintana Roo, Chiapas and Oaxaca,” said the biologist.

There will be an exchange with the Guatemala Zoo
Cruz Aldán informed that the initial specimens of this project would be eight, acquired through an exchange with a Guatemalan zoo, to which other species, such as giraffes and zebras, were given in exchange.

He indicated that they have been working on this project for more than 12 years; once it is completed, it will take 4 or 5 years to reinsert the first offspring into their natural habitat; however, it will take 15 to 20 years to generate a viable and wild population of this species in the State.
He indicated that this site will be located between the municipalities of Kinchil and Celestún and will consist of 30 hectares, of which 10 will be destined to the reproduction of the species.

TYT Newsroom