• Register Online for the Fifth International Tapir Symposium
• Registration Options - Full and Partial Options, Accomodation and Pricing Details
• Call for Abstracts - How to Submit a Poster or Paper (download .doc)

Fifth International Tapir Symposium
IUCN/SSC Tapir Specialist Group (TSG)
Hotel Flamingo, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
October 16-21, 2011

Organizers:

• IUCN/SSC Tapir Specialist Group (TSG)
• Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP), Malaysia
• Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) Tapir Taxon Advisory Group (TAG)
• European Association of Zoos & Aquaria (EAZA) Tapir Taxon Advisory Group (TAG) Copenhagen Zoo, Denmark

Dear Friends,

The IUCN/SSC Tapir Specialist Group (TSG) and the Malaysian Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) have the pleasure to announce the upcoming Fifth International Tapir Symposium, which will be held at the Hotel Flamingo, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from 16 to 21 October, 2011.

The First International Tapir Symposium was held in San José, Costa Rica, in November 2001, and brought together for the very first time 85 tapir experts and conservationists from 21 different countries worldwide. For the Second International Tapir Symposium, held in Panama City, Republic of Panama, in January 2004, we had the participation of 90 representatives from 19 different countries. The Third International Tapir Symposium, which was held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in January 2006, included 100 tapir conservationists from 25 countries worldwide. The last conference, the Fourth International Tapir Symposium, was held in Cancun, Mexico, in May 2008, and brought together 110 participants from 27 countries. The International Tapir Symposium has proved to be a critical moment for tapir conservation worldwide, and has been attracting more and more tapir conservationists each time.

The Fifth International Tapir Symposium will once again bring together a multi-faceted group of tapir experts, including field researchers, environmental educators, captivity specialists, academics, veterinarians, governmental authorities, politicians and other interested parties.

Specific topics discussed during the conference will include tapir field research and conservation, population management, veterinary and genetic issues, husbandry and captive management, environmental education and outreach, training and capacity-building, involvement of local communities, re-introductions and translocations, marketing, fundraising, governmental regulations and permits, human-tapir conflicts and many others.

The first part of the conference will feature paper and poster presentations as well as keynote speeches, and the second part will be devoted to workshops and round-tables addressing specific topics relevant to tapir conservation. Some of the topics that have been suggested for the workshops and round-tables include Red Listing and Genetic Assessments. Any suggestions for other topics you would like to see included in our program, as well as potential keynote speakers, will be more than welcome.

All sessions will be conducted in English and simultaneously translated into Spanish.

The main objectives of the conference include:

1- Exchange and discussion of current data on field and captive studies through the presentation of papers, posters and keynote speeches by current tapir conservationists;

2- Opportunity to foster our global network of tapir researchers and supporters;

3- Revision of TSG Strategic Planning 2008-2010 developed and prioritized during the Fourth Symposium in Mexico, and evaluation of what has been accomplished in the past three years;

4- Development of the TSG Strategic Planning for 2011-2013, which will allow for the conference recommendations to be carried out, helping to direct the activities and initiatives of the TSG in the following three years until the next symposium;

5- Evaluation of the work of the TSG Action Plan Implementation Taskforce established in Mexico in 2008 with the main objective of overseeing and promoting the implementation of the IUCN/SSC Tapir Action Plan finalized in 2007;

6- Creation of committees made up of representative tapir conservationists who will develop and prioritize key research, conservation, management and financial issues affecting the plight of endangered tapir species worldwide.

The main partners on the organization of the Fifth International Tapir Symposium are the IUCN/SSC Tapir Specialist Group (TSG), Malaysian Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP), Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) Tapir Taxon Advisory Group (TAG), European Association of Zoos & Aquaria (EAZA) Tapir Taxon Advisory Group (TAG), and Copenhagen Zoo, Denmark.

The members of the planning committee are Patrícia Medici, Chair, IUCN/SSC Tapir Specialist Group, Brazil; Carl Traeholt, Copenhagen Zoo, Denmark, and Malayan Tapir Coordinator, IUCN/SSC Tapir Specialist Group, Malaysia; Bengt Holst, Copenhagen Zoo, Denmark, Chair, EAZA Tapir TAG, TSG Member, Denmark; Boyd Simpson, Copenhagen Zoo, Denmark, TSG Member; Michele Stancer, Chair, AZA Tapir TAG, TSG Member, United States; Alberto Mendoza, TSG Member, Mexico & USA; Alan Shoemaker, Permit Advisor, AZA Tapir TAG, TSG Red List Authority, United States; Kelly Russo, Houston Zoo, Coordinator, TSG Marketing/Education Committee, United States; Jeffrey Flocken, International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), TSG Marketing/Education Committee, United States; Zainal Zainuddin, Coordinator, Borneo Rhino Conservation Project, TSG Member, Malaysia; Mr. Burhanuddin Mohd Nor, Director for Consultancy Division, Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Malaysia; Tn. Haji Mohd Nawayai Yasak, Director of Division for Biodiversity Conservation, Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Malaysia; Mr. David Magintan, Assistant Director, Division for Biodiversity Conservation, Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Malaysia; Dr. Sivananthan Elagupillay, Director for Ecotourism Division, Malaysia; and, Mr. Saharudin Anan, Director for Ex-Situ Conservation Division, Malaysia.

Members of the symposium's planning committee – Carl Traeholt and Bengt Holst – have been working together with our local host – the Malaysian Department of Wildlife and National Parks – on putting together the local logistics for the conference. The DWNP has committed to assist the TSG in organizing, promoting and conducting this conference in Malaysia.

Symposium sessions will be carried out and participants will be staying at the Flamingo Hotel in Kuala Lumpur (www.flamingo.com.my). A list of other options for alternative hotels near the conference venue will be provided soon, including contact information and websites.

Between now and October 2011, our symposium organizing committee will be spending quite a bit of time and energy on putting this conference together! We are currently working to raise the necessary funds for the conference, as well as organizing the local logistics, registration system, conference program, invitations to participants and many other aspects. We will soon be ready to OPEN FOR REGISTRATION and to send out a CALL FOR ABSTRACTS for oral presentations and posters.

We will make sure to keep you all posted about the conference, but in the meantime, make sure to put the Fifth International Tapir Symposium on your schedule for 2011! We would love to have you all with us in Kuala Lumpur!

Patrícia Medici Chair, IUCN/SSC Tapir Specialist Group (TSG)

Carl Traeholt Malayan Tapir Coordinator, IUCN/SSC Tapir Specialist Group (TSG)

Bengt Holst Chair, EAZA Tapir TAG

Michele Stancer Chair, AZA Tapir TAG

Tapir Specialist Group Tapir Symposiums

Moments from the Third International Tapir Symposium at Temaiken Zoo, Buenos Aires, Argentina, January 2006

Features of the symposiums:

• Presentations by tapir researchers, keynote speakers and other professionals addressing tapir biology, research, conservation, and management
• Topics covering issues relevant to tapir conservation
  • field research,
  • population management
  • husbandry
  • fundraising
  • marketing
  • governmental regulations
  • eco-tourism
  • education
  • veterinary issues
  • tapir bio-politics
• Workshops addressing some of the most serious issues facing tapir conservation today
• A review and evaluation of the recommendations and goals listed during the Second International Tapir Symposium
• Creation of new prioritized actions and goals for tapir conservation

Attendees of the 2006 Tapir Symposium in Buenos Aires, Argentina