Have you ever imagined coming face to face with a beautiful TAPIR?
When I ventured into the Sooretama-Linhares Forest Complex, I never imagined how unforgettable those expeditions would become.
It was almost nightfall, one of those days when we were exploring the region in search of the best photographs, and after a long day of fieldwork, I was eager to reach our lodging.
But, as usual, my eyes were always scanning the surroundings. In nature, you never know when luck will smile on you. I like to think it's the forest itself that decides when to reveal its secrets.
That day, the forest had a surprise for me. As we drove along the roads that cut through the Recanto das Antas Private Natural Heritage Reserve (RPPN) in Linhares, the moving car made the smaller side roads flash quickly through our field of vision.
Suddenly, something caught my eye. A large, dark silhouette lying in a puddle in the middle of the road made me shout, "Stop, stop, stop!" Everyone in the car was startled, but for a good reason. There was a tapir calmly resting in the middle of the road, oblivious to our presence.
The Encounter
She was relaxed, accustomed to cars passing by on the main road, barely moving.
Stopping the car at a distance and walking slowly toward the tapir was a strategy I chose, knowing that by approaching on foot, slowly and crouched down, we could get much closer.
The adrenaline was coursing through my veins, but it was crucial to stay calm. Every step had to be careful, without sudden movements, to avoid scaring that magnificent animal.
The light was already fading, and I knew I needed to get close enough to use artificial lighting. I keeped a câmera flash high up, what's give to me an interesting illumination.
I lay on the ground, aiming to capture a different angle while my wife, Ilka Westermeyer, filmed everything on video.
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The tapir, the largest terrestrial mammal in Brazil, was there, just a few meters away from me.
With her more than 300 kilos of majesty and serenity, she seemed to be posing for the photos, as if she knew she was being photographed for a greater purpose: her own protection.
Did She Know?
Feeling the evening breeze that was beginning to cool the air, the tapir slowly got up, moving out of the water at a leisurely pace.
She looked at me as if to make sure I was not a threat. She turned one way, then the other, allowing me to take clear, well-lit photos from every angle, and then calmly walked back into the forest. I can’t shake the feeling that she knew...
That experience left a mark on me. The tapir, with her imposing and calm demeanor, seemed to be the guardian of that reserve, a symbol of resilience amid the growing threats she faces.
Exploring the Largest Native Forest Fragment in ES
The Sooretama-Linhares Forest Complex region, where I took this photo, is one of the last refuge areas for tapirs in Espírito Santo, and one of the largest fragments of the Atlantic Forest in Brazil. We also found a small population of tapirs in another reserve, outside the complex, the REBIO Córrego do Veado, where this population is isolated.
Sooretama-Linhares Forestry Complex | Photos: Leonardo Merçon / Last Refuges
It consists of several protected forest areas, such as the Sooretama Biological Reserve, the Vale Natural Reserve, the Cupido & Refúgio Farm, the Mutum Preto RPPN, and of course, the Recanto das Antas RPPN, where I found our tapir friend featured in this text.
I was there working on the book “Últimos Refúgios: Reserva Biológica de Sooretama” between 2013 and 2015.
Tapir standing, showing its other side at RPPN Recanto das Antas |PHOTO: Leonardo Merçon / Últimos Refúgios
The area where I found the tapir is strategically important for biodiversity conservation, also home to maned wolves, deer, sloths, and many colorful birds, including the endangered Red-billed Curassow, among many others.
Native animals that inhabit the RPPN Recanto das Antas, contributing to the rich biodiversity of the region. | Photos: Leonardo Merçon/Instituto Últimos Refúgios
The Tapirs of Espírito Santo: Symbols of Resilience
Brazilian tapirs, scientifically known as Tapirus terrestris, are the largest terrestrial mammals in Brazil and play a vital role in maintaining the ecosystems where they live.
They are seed dispersers, known as the "gardeners of the forest."
Seeing that tapir up close made me reflect on her importance. She wasn’t just a large, impressive animal but also a fundamental piece in the balance of the forest.
Tapir is a Compliment!
Unfortunately, the term "tapir" is often used as an insult in Brazil. But for us who are passionate about these large creatures, we see it as a compliment.
The tapir is a very intelligent, gentle, adaptable animal essential to the ecosystem it inhabits.
It’s time to redefine this word and understand that tapirs deserve our respect, admiration, gratitude, and protection.
Recanto das Antas Private Natural Heritage Reserve (RPPN)
In Espírito Santo, tapirs can still be found in protected natural areas like the Recanto das Antas RPPN, located in the heart of one of the most important forests in Espírito Santo.
The Recanto das Antas RPPN is a protected environmental area covering over 2,240 hectares as a refuge for biodiversity.
Located in the far north of the Linhares municipality, it encompasses a well-preserved fragment of the Atlantic Forest, integrating into the large native forest fragment of the region.
The creation of the RPPN emerged from a partnership between Instituto BioAtlântica and Suzano company.
Areas like this are vital for the survival of the species, but they face many challenges, such as deforestation, wild fires, illegal hunting, and roadkill, especially on the BR-101 highway, which for many years has crossed the Forest Complex in defiance of the law.
It is essential to protect these habitats to ensure that tapirs and other species continue to thrive.
Local Extinction Threat
Tapirs are threatened with extinction in Espírito Santo. The main threats are habitat loss (deforestation and fires), hunting, and roadkill.
Fires are one of the greatest threats to tapirs in the Recanto das Antas RPPN and the entire region.
Fires occurred in the Sooretama-Linhares Forest Complex, a significant threat to local fauna, including tapirs. | Photos: Leonardo Merçon/Instituto Últimos Refúgios
I have witnessed devastating fires that caused significant forest loss and animal deaths. The work to contain fires in vegetation areas during dry periods is exhausting and dangerous.
Loss of Life
These events are devastating, not just because of the immediate destruction of vegetation but also due to the long-term impact on the tapirs' habitat.
When fire sweeps through the forest, it destroys food sources and shelter, leaving these animals vulnerable and forcing them to seek refuge in less safe areas, like those near highways, where the risk of roadkill increases significantly.
Seeing such a majestic animal lose its life on a highway is a painful reminder of how much more we need to do to protect our biodiversity.
Fauna run over in the Sooretama-Linhares Forest Complex, a tragedy for the small tapir population in the region. | Photo: Leonardo Merçon/Instituto Últimos Refúgios
Hope for the Future
Fortunately, there are important initiatives to protect tapirs and other species in the area. Creating Private Natural Heritage Reserves (RPPNs) is one of many strategies used to protect these animals and their habitat.
In this context, there are fire prevention initiatives in the region, including the Recanto das Antas RPPN, where I took the photo of the tapir featured in this article.
The "Forest Guardians" program, maintained by Suzano, aims to protect both company areas and neighboring communities. I found out on their website that incidents can be quickly and efficiently reported by calling 0800 203 0000 or via WhatsApp, facilitating communication and ensuring a swift response to occurrences.
This action is complemented by other strategies, such as the presence of trained firefighters and an operations center that monitors areas to prevent disasters.
Moreover, there are heroic efforts by people and non-profit organizations, like the Pró-Tapir Institute, which works tirelessly to conserve tapirs and other ungulates of the Atlantic Forest.
Actions of the Pró-Tapir Project in the Sooretama-Linhares Forest Complex, focused on the conservation of tapirs and other ungulates. | Photo: Leonardo Merçon/Instituto Últimos Refúgios
Research programs, environmental education, and scientific dissemination, such as those carried out by the Institute, are essential to raise public awareness and inspire new generations.
In my work as a nature photographer, I have had the chance to follow some of these very important conservation projects.
Long Live the Tapirs
I sincerely hope that the tapir population in Espírito Santo never disappears and that I can still have more passionate encounters like the one described in this post.
Notice the tongue... how can you not fall in love?
If you’re from Espírito Santo, share this wonder of our state with your friends. Tapirs deserve it! 💚
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Nature photographer and cinematographer, founder of Instituto Últimos Refúgios, Master in Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development, passionate about the environment! Join me on this incredible journey of wildlife discoveries and see more beautiful stories as I constantly explore nature.
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