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The mountain tapir (tapirus pinchaque) and andean bear (tremarctos ornatus): Two charismatic, large mammals in South American tropical montane cloud forests

Abstract:

Mountain tapir and Andean bear are the two largest mammals in the tropical Andes, both charismatic, survivors of old lineages of mammal evolution, and threatened with extinction. Their current distribution is montane cloud forest and páramos (high-altitude grasslands) in South America, where they feed on fruits and vegetative parts, having an important role as seed dispersers. The distribution and population size of both species was analyzed based on expert opinion and a rule-and-base model within a GIS context. A gap analysis was performed to determine the animals their conservation status within National Parks. Areas of past and present distribution for the mountain tapir were 205 000 km2 and 31 400 km2, respectively. Based on existing suitable habitat, the population of mountain tapirs in their current range was estimated at 5700 individuals at the most. The overall population of Andean bears ranges between expert estimates of 5000–10 000 individuals. Several conservation recommendations emerge from the present analysis and review for the two species.