In early 2025, motion-triggered cameras deep in Brazil’s Cunhambebe State Park recorded something wildlife experts hadn’t seen in over a century: a South American tapir (Tapirus terrestris) walking through the rainforest. Actually, it wasn’t just one—it was a small group, including a mother and calf, calmly navigating the dense undergrowth of the Atlantic Forest.
The last verified sighting of a tapir in this region dates back to 1914, making this rediscovery especially significant. As captured by the state agency INEA-RJ, and reported by G1, the images suggest not just a return—but a possible survival story that went unnoticed for decades.
“This reappearance shows that our ecosystems may be more connected than we think,” says Marcelo Cupello, biologist at INEA. “It suggests that native fauna can still move through what’s left of the forest, using natural corridors.”
The Tapir: A Silent Force Behind Forest Recovery
Referred to by ecologists as “gardeners of the forest,” tapirs are more than just gentle browsers. They play a central role in maintaining rainforest biodiversity by dispersing seeds over large distances through their fruit-heavy diets. Their digestive systems enhance the seeds’ ability to germinate, helping to restore degraded areas and promote natural forest regeneration.
A mother and calf were among the images captured on camera traps in the area. Credit: slowmotiongli/Shutterstock
The reintroduction of even a few tapirs has a cascading effect. As they move, they carve paths through dense vegetation, creating routes for other species and increasing habitat access for smaller fauna. Their dung also contributes to soil fertility, distributing nutrients across the landscape.
With global populations of Tapirus terrestris now estimated at only 4,600 individuals, according to the IUCN, any sign of natural population growth or redistribution is a rare win.
Did They Return—Or Were They Never Really Gone?
The sudden presence of tapirs in Cunhambebe raises a question: Did these animals recolonize the area, or did a remnant population quietly survive for a century?
Experts are exploring both options. Some suspect the tapirs migrated from known populations in Serra do Mar State Park, in neighboring São Paulo state. That area supports a stable population, and its forest is connected—albeit tenuously—to Cunhambebe through narrow ecological corridors.
But local footprints, scat, and other signs suggest there may be more tapirs than the three caught on camera. That raises the possibility of a small, cryptic population surviving undetected in the region’s dense vegetation for decades. Genetic analysis currently underway will help determine the origins of these animals and inform future population management or reinforcement efforts.
Guapiaçu’s Rewilding Model May Be Paying Off
This spontaneous return aligns with parallel efforts in Guapiaçu Ecological Reserve (REGUA), about 100 kilometers north of Cunhambebe. Since 2017, conservationists have reintroduced seven tapirs into the area. That population has now grown to 20 individuals, including seven calves born in the wild, according to REGUA’s monitoring teams.
Mother Tapir and her cute little striped one looking for fruit in Brazil’s Northern Pantanal. Credit: Henk Bogaard /Shutterstock
The REGUA initiative was among the first to test tapir rewilding in this biome, and it’s proven that well-planned releases, combined with strong habitat protection, can create self-sustaining populations.
“Both processes—spontaneous return and planned reintroduction—complement each other,” explains Cupello. “One shows what nature can do when left alone, the other demonstrates the value of structured conservation.”
A Critical Moment for Brazil’s Fragmented Ecosystems
The rediscovery isn’t just symbolic—it offers real data on how Brazil’s fragmented forests are still functioning, even after decades of logging and development. Tapirs require large ranges to roam, meaning they’re strong indicators of habitat health and connectivity.
That said, their long-term survival is still uncertain. Without action, isolated forest patches may not support genetic diversity, and risks of inbreeding or poaching remain.
To address this, Brazilian authorities are expanding protected areas and developing new ecological corridors. These green highways connect isolated fragments, allowing species to move, breed, and access resources more freely.
At Cunhambebe, environmental education is also part of the strategy. Workshops and local engagement programs are being developed to foster community pride and stewardship. Conservationists hope that making the tapir a symbol of biodiversity will lead to stronger support for protection efforts.