Tuberculosis affects several animal species, including human beings, and is caused by microorganisms of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex, which presents great importance in countries where the disease is endemic, as in Brazil. The present work had as objective the identification of tuberculosis in coatis (Nasua nasua) and tapirs (Tapirus terrestris). The study was divided in four chapters; in the first chapter a literature review of bovine tuberculosis is presented, disease caused by M. bovis, which is essential for public health, animal health and animal production. The effective establishment of bovine tuberculosis control and eradication programs is of importance for disease prevalence and incidence reduction, and also to reduce risks of transmission from animals to human beings. In the second chapter a literature review of tuberculosis in wildlife animals was performed, showing the variety of susceptible species and still a lack of studies in Brazil. In the third and fourth chapters, the respective identification of M. bovis in coatis from the Wildlife Screening Center of Tijucas do Sul and the identification of M. tuberculosis in tapirs from the Curitiba Zoo. The comprehensive interpretation of laboratory tests ante and post-mortem of bacteriologic culture, baciloscopy and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), associated to tuberculine test and pulmonary radiographies, were crucial for the definitive diagnosis of tuberculosis in these animals. The present study, to the author knowledge, is the first report of tuberculosis in these species in Brazil, and demonstrates that susceptive wildlife populations may be negatively affected by the increased concentration in captivity, proximity to people, domestic and other wildlife captive animals. At the same time, these animals may be potential source of infection to other animals and human beings, impeding the adequate control of the disease, particularly in the maintenance of wildlife species in captivity. In conclusion, the tuberculosis diagnosis in coatis and tapirs demonstrates the importance of this disease in public health and animal health, particularly in the maintenance of captive wildlife species.