Issue Information

Whilst filming a wildlife documentary close to Kabalebo, in central Suriname, we stopped alongside a river one afternoon after seeing a South American tapir (Tapirus terrestris).Tapirs are usually wary of humans, but this individual was unusually relaxed and was interacting with giant cowbirds (Molothrus oryzivorus).After about ten minutes of standing still and allowing as many as nine giant cowbirds to range over its dorsal surface removing parasites, the tapir lay down and rolled onto its back to allow the cowbirds access to its belly.One cowbird then focused on a small wound located on the tapir's stomach and whilst it was tolerant of cowbirds exploring its ears and mouth, it rolled away when the cowbirds focused on the open wound.Such symbiotic interactions between the tapirs and cowbirds were observed on five occasions and appear to be primarily mutualistic with rare shifts to parasitism.