Asia’s only tapir species still remains understudied in Malaysia, researchers at the Wildlife Conservation Society say.
Recent findings from Thailand suggest that some forest complexes there may hold more Malay, or Asian tapirs (Tapirus indicus) than previously estimated. However, across the border in Malaysia, experts warn that the endangered species faces an uncertain future, complicated by a lack of robust national population data and a persistent snaring crisis. On World Tapir Day, April 27, Mongabay asked WCS Malaysia researchers why this is the case.
There have been very few reliable estimates of tapir numbers in Malaysia; one was published in 2012 and another in 2024. “It is always challenging to provide meaningful and realistic national figures for a large mammal species that is difficult to count, and the tapir is one that fits the bill,” Mark Darmaraj, WCS Malaysia country director, told Mongabay by email.
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