The coexistence of Baird's tapir (Tapirus bairdii) and indigenous hunters in northeastern Honduras

Indigenous hunters in northeastern Honduras play a crucial role in the survival of Baird's tapir (Tapirus bairdii), despite hunting rates exceeding sustainable levels. The study, conducted over four months within the Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve, mapped hunting zones and interviewed community members to understand tapir harvesting patterns. Findings reveal that tapirs persist near communities due to the presence of unhunted forest areas and anthropogenic habitats created by shifting cultivation. This suggests that indigenous hunters may contribute positively to tapir conservation across its range, challenging assumptions about human-wildlife conflict in endangered species management.

DUNN, M., ESTRADA, N., & SMITH, D. A. (2012). The coexistence of Baird’s tapir (Tapirus bairdii) and indigenous hunters in northeastern Honduras. Integrative Zoology, 7(4), 429–438. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-4877.2012.00322.x