Baird´s tapir: predicting patterns of crop damage surrounding the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, Campeche, Mexico

A study reveals that Baird's tapirs, despite causing minimal crop damage overall, significantly impact bean crops in rural communities surrounding the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve. The research found that 14% of crops across four communities were damaged by tapirs, with the number of farmers cultivating beans being the strongest predictor of damage. The study analyzed ecological and agricultural variables, including habitat characteristics and crop protection measures, using transects and questionnaires. Findings highlight the interaction between farmers and tapirs, offering insights that could mitigate human-wildlife conflict in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Serrano-Mac-Gregor, I., Reyna-Hurtado, R., Molina-Rosales, D., & Naranjo-Piñera, E. (2021). Baird´s tapir: predicting patterns of crop damage surrounding the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, Campeche, Mexico. Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad, 92, e923520. https://doi.org/10.22201/ib.20078706e.2021.92.3520