Population Dynamics and Survival Strategies of Two Endangered Ungulates in a Low Water-Availability Site of the Maya Forest of Mexico

Research reveals distinct survival strategies among two endangered ungulates—the white-lipped peccary and the tapir—in the water-scarce Calakmul Biosphere Reserve. While the peccary population fluctuated dramatically, disappearing during dry periods before reappearing near scarce water sources, the tapir maintained stable occupancy across nearly all ephemeral ponds over a decade. This study, analyzing 10 years of camera-trap and radiotelemetry data from 18 ponds, highlights their contrasting resilience to arid conditions, offering critical insights into conservation strategies for these rapidly declining species in Mesoamerican forests.

Reyna-Hurtado, R., Huerta-Rodríguez, J. O., Duarte-Morales, A., Poot-Sarmiento, I., Martínez-Martínez, L. V., & Jiménez-Sánchez, M. A. (2025). Population Dynamics and Survival Strategies of Two Endangered Ungulates in a Low Water-Availability Site of the Maya Forest of Mexico. Animals, 15(9), 1307. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15091307