Foerster, Sonia H. ;Foerster, Charles R. ;Bailey, James R. ;Radcliffe, Robin W.
The role of veterinary medicine in an ecologic study of Baird's tapir (Tapirus Bairdii) in Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica
Proceedings American Association of Zoo Veterinarians
2000
Conference Proceedings
121-123
Tapir Bibliography
The Proyecto Danta/Baird?s Tapir Project was established in 1994 to study the basic ecology (home range, habitat use, activity patterns etc.) of the Baird?s tapir (Tapirus bairdii) in Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica. At that time, the veterinary involvement was limited to safely immobilizing tapirs for the purpose of fitting them with radiocollars. In 1996, the study was amplified to include more long-term ecologic objectives, such as evaluation of reproductive success, mortality, disease, juvenile dispersal and genetics. As a result, veterinary medicine has become an integral component of all aspects of the study.
The overall goal of the Proyecto Danta/Baird?s Tapir Project is to provide accurate data on tapir
ecology and health for the development of effective conservation and management strategies for the species and its habitat in Central America. Specific veterinary objectives of the study include: 1) development of safe immobilization protocols for attachment of radio telemetry collars, 2) documentation of normal health parameters of this population, 3) identification of disease incidence and exposure of the study population, 4) elucidation of reproductive patterns in this population, and 5) determination of genetic relationships between individuals.