Physiological Data Reference Values for Tapir Species

Note from ISIS
We are grateful for the clinical blood chemistry, haematology and body temperature data contributed by ISIS-member
facilities that record and transmit this information using ISIS’ MedARKS software. We encourage use of this pooled
information, and invite the contribution of more information so that we may improve the next edition.
We are also grateful for grant and other support that has helped to develop ISIS' MedARKS software during the
1986-1998 period. Critical grant support was received from the U.S. Institute of Museum Services through the
cooperation of the zoos of Seattle, Miami, Indianapolis, Atlanta, Minnesota, and Sedgwick County. Additional grant
support was received from the Bronx Wildlife Conservation Park, Chicago-Brookfield Zoo, Louisville Zoo, Dallas Zoo,
Los Angeles Zoo, the Zoological Society of Milwaukee, the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians and the Dutch
Foundation for Research in Zoological Gardens. All this support is gratefully acknowledged.
Continued assistance and cooperation has been received over these many years from the American Association of
Zoo Veterinarians and its Information Resources Committee. The dedicated professional efforts of J. Andrew Teare,
DVM, and Cyd Shields Teare, MT made MedARKS and the underlying veterinary database possible.
Nate Flesness
Executive Director, ISIS
Note from TSG
On behalf of the Veterinary Committee of the IUCN Species Survival Commission Tapir Specialist Group (TSG) I we
would like to express our gratitude to Ms. Laurie Bingaman Lackey from the International Species Information
System (ISIS), who kindly supported our request to create this document and make it available for TSG members
and other tapir conservationists. The information included on this document has been compiled from the ISIS
Physiological Data Reference Values (2002 CD-ROM), edited by J. Andrew Teare, DVM.
Our main objective was to create a document including all the information about tapir normal physiological values
and make it available to all professionals involved with tapir health investigation. The ISIS database is the most
complete and extensive wildlife health information source.
Additionally, we would like to acknowledge all tapir holding zoological institutions around the world for constantly
providing the information that feeds the ISIS information database.
We hope this document will contribute to the IUCN/SSC Tapir Specialist Group’s efforts to conserve the four tapir
species and their remaining habitat in South and Central America, and Southeast Asia.
Javier Adolfo Sarria Perea DVM, M.Sc.
Coordinator, Veterinary Committee, IUCN/SSC Tapir Specialist Group (TSG)
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