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This species is listed as Endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, as vulnerable by the 2000 IUCN Redlist and is protected
from trade under CITES Appendix I. The species range has been
reduced extensively in Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Sumatra.
Today, populations are extremely fragmented, occurring in southern
Viet Nam, southern Cambodia, parts of southern Myanmar, isolated
parts of Thailand, and through the Malay Peninsula to Sumatra.
Forest conversion to agriculture is the most serious threat to
the survival of tapirs. Illegal capture and trade in tapirs is
also a real threat for this species. A conservative estimate based
on a home range of 12.75km2 gives a minimum wild population estimate
of 369 animals.
Baseline population status surveys are needed in Malaysia, Sumatra,
Myanmar, and Thailand which would simultaneously identify plant
species needed to support long-term populations. The status surveys
should determine where the animals are and in what numbers, while
assessing threats and determining ways to counter such threats.
Such surveys are ongoing using camera-traps, infrared automatic
cameras which record a picture of an animal after it trips an
infrared beam emanating from the system, in Thailand and Sumatra.
In captivity this species is managed for breeding purposes by
an international studbook.
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