Effect of sound stimuli on the escape behavior of tapirs (Tapirus terrestris):
potential strategies for mitigating railway collisions
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37002/biodiversidadebrasileira.v15i4.2808Keywords:
Lowland tapir, deterrence, noise, fatalities, faunaAbstract
The lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris), the largest terrestrial mammal in South America, plays a crucial role in maintaining ecosystems. However, the species faces serious threats, including habitat loss, hunting, and collisions with vehicles. It is estimated that millions of vertebrates are killed annually on Brazilian roads and railways, with tapirs being frequent victims of railway collisions. This highlights the urgent need to develop more targeted mitigation strategies. Various methods, such as protective fencing and wildlife crossings, have been tested to reduce wildlife mortality, though with varying results. This study investigated the behavior of tapirs under human care in response to different sound stimuli. The results showed that noise emission significantly increased alert and escape behaviors, suggesting that sounds could be effective in improving tapirs' response time in high-risk areas. Among the tested sounds, the "ambulance siren" proved to be the most effective in triggering "alert" and "running" behaviors. These findings provide valuable insights for the development of sound-based devices that could help reduce tapir collisions on railways, making the transportation system more sustainable.
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