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    - Photo via Tourism Institute -
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Published on Tuesday, September 19,
2023
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
The Danta, or Baird's tapir (Tapirus bairdii) is Costa Rica's largest wild land mammal and is regarded as a living fossil, as one of the few survivors of the so-called "megafauna" of the Ice Age.
According to the Tourism Instititute, it is also a threatened species, with an estimated population of 1,500 specimens in our country. The Tenorio-Miravalles Biological Corridor is one of the last remaining habitats for these animals in Costa Rica.
The Río Celeste Chamber of Tourism (CATURI) and the town of Bijagua in Upala Canton in Alajuela Province, have invited the public to celebrate the Tapir Month Festival. The festivities are part of their activities to save this endangered species.
Members of the community are committed to tracking the number of tapirs discovered in the region.
Those interested in taking part in the program will be guided by exports to travel routes of the Tenorio-Miravalles wildlife corridor and document traces of the mammal, as well as potential sightings.
The activity's goal is to teach people about the tapir's habitat, their importance to the forest, and how Bijagua has coexisted with the mammal.
To conclude the tapir festival, there will be a mountain bike race with a 26-kilometer circuit through the jungle next Saturday, Sept. 30.
In addition, for the entertainment of guests, the community has planned activities such as games for children, live music, food booths, and craft sales, among others.
The tapir is one of the largest surviving native terrestrial mammals in Costa Rica.
The animals have a stocky, barrel-shaped body with a short, prehensile trunk. They have a dark brown to black coat with a white fringe or "saddle" on their back, which varies in size and shape among individuals. This saddle can help camouflage them in their natural habitat.
Adult Baird's tapirs typically measure between 1.8 to 2.5 meters (6 to 8 feet) in length and stand about 90 to 110 centimeters (35 to 43 inches) tall at the shoulder. They can weigh anywhere from 150 to 400 kilograms (330 to 880 pounds), with males are generally larger than females.
Tapirs inhabit a range of ecosystems, including tropical and subtropical forests, swamps, and grasslands.
Baird's tapirs are considered endangered due to habitat loss, habitat fragmentation, and hunting. They are especially vulnerable to human activities, including road construction and illegal poaching for their meat and hides.
Conservation efforts are essential to ensure the survival of Baird's tapir and protect the biodiversity of forests and wetlands. Efforts include habitat preservation, anti-poaching measures, and education to raise awareness about the importance of these magnificent creatures in their ecosystems.
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