Imagine this, a mammal that everyone thought had vanished from the Brazilian Atlantic for more than a century suddenly reappears. That’s exactly what happened with the South American tapir (Tapirus terrestris). Recently spotted in Cunhambebe State Park, this remarkable species is back, and its return is sparking fresh hope for conservation.

The Instituto Estadual do Ambiente (INEA) explains that the park is part of a biological corridor — a safe passage that connects different habitats so wildlife can move freely and survive. Seeing this elusive animal again is a powerful reminder for all of us: when we protect natural spaces, we give life a chance to return. We should always keep this in mind. Now, let’s learn more about this mammal and discover why this comeback matters so much.

An Animal that was Apparently Lost

More than a century ago, in a region of Brazil known as the Atlantic Forest, there lived a mammal called the South American tapir. Over the years, it completely disappeared from that area. It had been absent for so long that scientists believed it had become extinct there.

The last time anyone recorded its presence in the Atlantic Forest was in 1914. From that year onward, for 111 years, there were no further news or confirmed sightings of this animal in that part of Brazil.

Animals can disappear from a region for many reasons. Some are related to nature, such as climate changes or natural disasters. Others are linked to human activities: pollution, hunting, illegal wildlife trafficking, destruction of their habitat, or the introduction of species that are not native to the area.

An Unexpected Reappearance

In January, something surprising happened. The mammal reappeared in the Atlantic Forest. Thanks to surveillance cameras installed in Cunhambebe State Park, in the city of Mangaratiba, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, footage was captured showing three specimens.

This sighting was met with great excitement by the scientific community, many experts described it as “a miracle of nature”, since it is very rare for an animal that has been absent from a region for over a century to suddenly reappear.

The Gardener of the Forest

The return of the South American tapir is not only surprising but also very good news for the Atlantic Forest. This mammal plays a key role in nature. When it eats fruit, the seeds pass through its digestive system and, as it moves through the forest, it leaves them in different places.

This process helps new trees and plants grow, aiding the regeneration of the forest. For this reason, scientists call it “the gardener of the forest”. Its presence contributes to maintaining biodiversity and keeping the ecosystem healthy.

Possible Reasons for this Mammal’s Return

Although the sighting is clear, the exact reason why the South American tapir has returned to the Atlantic Forest remains a mystery. Researchers have two main theories:

  • The first theory suggests that a small population of tapirs had always existed in the area, but for more than a hundred years, no one had managed to see or officially record them.
  • The second theory proposes that these animals arrived from nearby areas, slowly moving until they reached the Atlantic Forest.

Whichever explanation turns out to be correct, one thing is certain: this mammal’s return is a positive and encouraging piece of news for everyone working to conserve wildlife. What’s more, it‘s helping us with our planet Earth’s environment, so we should do the same, don’t you think so? What are you doing to help the forest’s gardeners with its work? Positively contributing to the environment is the best thing we can do.