The Daily Journal.- This Sunday, the Guarenas Repano Foundation successfully concluded its latest field expedition following an intensive four-day mission that began on October 22 in the most remote areas of Waraira Repano National Park, north of Guarenas, with logistical support from The Daily Journal.
Martha Sulbarán, a veterinarian and director of the Education and Research Project for the Conservation of the Lowland Tapir (Tapirus terrestris) in Waraira Repano, coordinated the expedition. The mission primarily focused on inspecting, maintaining, and replacing camera traps that researchers strategically positioned throughout the protected area to monitor wildlife scientifically.
During four days of hiking and exploration, the technical team ventured into difficult-to-access terrain to retrieve data from the devices. The photographs and video footage provide highly valuable scientific documentation, essential for directly assessing the health, behavior, and population density of tapirs and other wildlife species inhabiting the region.
In addition to retrieving audiovisual data, the researchers took the opportunity to conduct a comprehensive assessment of ecosystem conditions. Analyzing the forest environment and water sources is crucial to determining the long-term viability of this large South American mammal’s habitat. The tapir plays a key role in forest regeneration.
Over the coming days, the foundation’s team will process the preliminary findings from the collected material, helping strengthen conservation and environmental education strategies in communities surrounding the national park.
