ATHLETE SPOTS TAPIR IN URBAN AREA OF CAMPO GRANDE
A tapir (Tapirus terrestris) was spotted during the morning workout of an amateur athlete in Parque dos Poderes, in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul.
The wild animal calmly crossed the street, seemingly unbothered by the presence of people.
The video was recorded by Claudia Borges.
“It was very special. I made a point of pausing my watch and stopping my workout to film her. The tapir stopped at a certain distance, and I was afraid she might get scared, but she showed no fear,” said the athlete.
Parque dos Poderes is an area that houses administrative buildings for the state government and the executive, legislative, and judiciary branches. These constructions share space with preserved areas of Cerrado vegetation and species from the Atlantic Forest.
On a daily basis, the park is visited by families for leisure and sports activities.
Encounters with wild animals that live in the green areas are common.
According to Grasiela Porfírio, PhD in Ecology and biologist at Instituto Homem Pantaneiro (IHP), the park is home to other mammals such as coatis (Nasua nasua), agoutis (Dasyprocta azarae), capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), and howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata).
Birds often seen in the area include parakeets (Melopsittacus undulatus), blue-and-yellow macaws (Ara ararauna), toucans (Ramphastos toco), bare-faced curassows (Crax fasciolata), and burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia). Boas(Boa constrictor) are also frequently spotted curled up in the trees.
The coexistence of humans and wild animals is always a matter of concern.
According to Patrícia Médici, conservationist and coordinator of the National Initiative for the Conservation of the Brazilian Tapir (INCAB), tapirs appear in the park because it is located in an area with "habitat patches", small remaining stretches of native vegetation within cities where animals can still survive.
These Cerrado fragments emerged after the advance of urbanization and agriculture in the state. Since Campo Grande is surrounded by these “mini-habitats,” wild animals end up moving between them in search of food, water, and shelter.
This phenomenon also occurs in other areas of the city, such as Parque das Nações Indígenas and Parque Estadual do Prosa.
In the surroundings of Parque dos Poderes, in addition to these habitat fragments, there are also bodies of water, which further attract the presence of tapirs in the region.
According to Médici, urban areas provide resources consumed by wild animals. As a result, they often end up roaming among people. However, this proximity can pose risks, such as vehicle collisions.
Claudia shared her concern upon seeing the tapir crossing the busy road.
“There was a group of cyclists passing by at that very moment. Luckily, she crossed quickly and the cyclists saw her from a distance. We've already had a fatal incident involving another tapir in the park. Everything went well this time, but it's always important for everyone to stay alert.”
In early 2025, a male tapir was found dead with signs of being hit by a vehicle, raising concerns about the increased traffic flow in the area and non-compliance with speed limits, which were implemented precisely to ensure the safety of local wildlife.
“It would be good to have more campaigns and awareness so that we keep the park clean, preserve biodiversity, and respect the lives of the animals that live here,” Claudia emphasized.
The area is marked with signs indicating speed limits and warnings about the risk of animal crossings.
On weekends and holidays, one of the park's roads is closed to pedestrians and cyclists. Cars are allowed to travel in only one lane, and traffic agents provide constant monitoring.