what is that?!?

Is it a tiny elephant?  Is it an anteater?  What is that creature?

It’s an adorable Baird Tapir!  Baird Tapirs are found in Mexico and Central America.  Over the years they have suffered major reduction in numbers and are now sadly considered endangered.

Wilber Martinez is FWC’s director as well as a current Ph.D. candidate studying biodiversity and conservation.  Under his leadership, three Baird tapirs have been safely trapped and collared on Runaway Creek.  This is a huge accomplishment and something that is rarely successful.  The shape of a tapir’s head makes it very challenging to hold a collar (that tapered tapir head is so slippery!).   The collars emit signals to satellites and offer invaluable information about each tapir’s location and habits.  This information can be used to further protect the Maya Forest Corridor and these amazing animals.

Each of the tapirs collared at Runaway Creek have been given names to help identify them.  The first was affectionately named “Bolaw”.  “Bo” is a tribute to the late Gil Boese, the founder of FWC.  “Law” is in memory of Larry Law, FWC president Cindy Law’s late husband. Larry, who fully supported the acquisition of Runaway Creek when it was at risk of being bought by the wrong people, sadly passed away before he was able to see the completion of the purchase. The staff’s choice of this name was incredibly meaningful to both Gil’s and Larry’s families.