Habitat use of the Malay tapir ( Tapirus indicus Desmarest, 1819) in high-elevation forests of southern Thailand

Abstract

The Malay tapir ( Tapirus indicus Desmarest, 1819) is an endangered species generally associated with the lowland forests throughout its range in Southeast Asia. However, lowland forests are also associated with major threats to the species. Although occasional detections have been reported at higher elevations, the extent to which Malay tapirs utilize high-elevation forests remains poorly understood. Recent anecdotal observations suggested the use of high-elevation forests along the Khao Lon Pa Phru trekking trail in the Khao Banthat Wildlife Sanctuary, southern Thailand. This study conducted seven rounds of indirect sign surveys along thirteen 500-m transects and deployed six camera traps for a total of 2,488 trap nights along this trail from June 2022 to August 2023. Sixty-three percent of Malay tapir signs were concentrated in the two transects located at the highest elevations, and the relative abundance index of Malay tapirs was 6.94 times higher in tropical montane cloud forest than in tropical evergreen forest. These findings suggest that high-elevation forests may be used more extensively by Malay tapirs than previously recognized. The results of this study highlight the conservation value of high-elevation forests and suggest that these habitats should be considered alongside lowland forests in conservation planning for Malay tapirs.