In search of the lost tapir (Tapirus terrestris Linnaeus, 1758): Reassessing regional extinction through local ecological knowledge and occurrence records in the Caatinga biome

The lowland tapir ( Tapirus terrestris Linnaeus, 1758) is a ungulate and the largest terrestrial mammal in South America and has been considered regionally extinct in the Caatinga since 2012, despite the absence of systematic surveys evaluating its conservation status in the biome. Here, we present the first comprehensive assessment of tapir occurrence in the Caatinga, combining local ecological knowledge, active field searches, and a compilation of scientific and gray literature. During four consecutive years of fieldwork, we covered approximately 25,000 km of roads across the states of Minas Gerais, Bahia, and Piauí, and conducted 90 structured interviews and 213 informal conversations. We compiled 53 historical and 219 contemporary records of tapir occurrence within the boundaries of the Caatinga. Our findings confirm that tapirs once occurred in the inner regions of the Caatinga and currently occur along the western and southwestern boundaries of the biome, particularly near major rivers. The main threats to the species, as disclosed by locals, were deforestation, poaching, fire, and water scarcity. We challenge the conservation status of the lowland tapir, discuss the long-term challenges to its persistence, and propose conservation actions that incorporate the socio-economic context of the Caatinga, especially amid global change. An important continuation of this study would be to estimate tapir population size and habitat use to guide management efforts. Moreover, integrating the perspectives of both scientists and local communities on biodiversity and nature is necessary for the success of future conservation planning in the Caatinga region and its remote, less developed areas.