But habitat loss from logging activities and deforestation have been the biggest threat to this species, along with illegal hunting and poaching, driving its population numbers to plummet.
The South American Tapir is a herbivorous mammal that is similar to a pig in shape, feeding primarily on clay licks. This animal is a keystone species for its role as a disperser and predator of tree seeds, supporting the diversity of forests and overall health of the ecosystem. But habitat loss from logging activities and deforestation have been the biggest threat to this species, along with illegal hunting and poaching, driving its population numbers to plummet. The tapir is currently facing extinction in Peru, while in the Argentina portion of the Amazon, tapir populations have declined by an estimated 60% within the last two centuries. Conservation efforts have struggled to help recover the species as they require extensive habitats, and many of its protected areas are surrounded by unprotected private lands.