tapir

Long before hordes of tourists and biologists began flocking to Costa Rica for its amazing biodiversity, the country’s native people became the area’s first wildlife experts.

The Central American tapir is large. In fact, it’s the largest terrestrial mammal in the Neotropics. These animals can weigh up to 300 kilograms and the Bribri people of Costa Rica believe that a giant tapir created the Earth.

The Central American tapir is large. In fact, it’s the largest terrestrial mammal in the Neotropics. These animals can weigh up to 300 kilograms and the Bribri people of Costa Rica believe that a giant tapir created the Earth.

Costa Rica's Corcovado National Park, even on a repeat visit by boat from Drake Bay, is full of surprises.

This is the Corcovado model: Animals everywhere, so habituated to human contact that they simply ignore the humans, neither fleeing nor approaching.

This is the Corcovado model: Animals everywhere, so habituated to human contact that they simply ignore the humans, neither fleeing nor approaching.

In 2013 the United Nations declared March 3 as World Wildlife Day to celebrate biodiversity and spread awareness about wildlife conservation.

Long before hordes of tourists and biologists began flocking to Costa Rica for its amazing biodiversity, the country’s native people became the area’s first wildlife experts. Through close observation during frequent close-encounters with animals, Costa Rica’s indigenous people built up extensive mythologies surrounding the country’s wildlife. These beliefs are best preserved among Costa Rica’s Bribrí and Boruca people, who had animals featured prominently in their religion, healing ceremonies and even their dreams.

A yellow-headed caracara hitches a ride on the back of a Baird's tapir near the La Sirena ranger station in Corcovado National Park. Caracaras...