The Asian tapir Tapirus indicus is the only tapir species in Southeast Asia. It is declining across its range and is categorized as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. The forests of Sumatra are critical to Asian tapir conservation as they contain some of the last remaining populations of the species, yet conservation efforts are hindered by a lack of information on habitat suitability. We collated camera-trap data from nine landscapes across 69,500 km2 of Sumatran rainforest to help predict suitable habitat for Asian tapirs on the island. Predictions from Bayesian occupancy models demonstrated that tapir occupancy was greatest in forests below 600 m elevation and exclusively in forests with high aboveground biomass. Forests around the Barisan Mountains on the west of Sumatra provide the most suitable habitat for the species. Only 36% of the most critical habitat (i.e. 80th percentile of predicted occupancy values, or above) for tapirs is formally protected for conservation, with much of the remainder found in forests allocated to watershed protection (35%) or logging (23%). We highlight several key areas in Sumatra where tapir conservation could be bolstered, such as by leveraging existing conservation efforts for other charismatic flagships species on the island.

The Asian tapir Tapirus indicus population has decreased as a result of habitat destruction and degradation, illegal hunting and negative human–tapir interactions. Although this species is categorized as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a protected species in Indonesia, where it occurs on Sumatra, studies of its ecology and behaviour and of interactions with people remain limited. We investigated the characteristics of local communities around tapir habitat in Batang Gadis National Park and the interactions of people with tapirs, and assessed the potential for future negative interactions. This study took place in March and October 2021 in Sopotinjak and Pagar Gunung villages. We conducted interviews, using questionnaires, amongst local communities that are familiar with tapirs. The communities belong to the Mandailing Tribe, comprising farmers that frequently access the adjacent forest to support their livelihoods. Local people need protein from animals, but they do not hunt the tapir. Negative human–tapir interactions could potentially increase in the future if tapir browsing intensity in community gardens increases and farmers suffer significant economic losses. We encourage Batang Gadis National Park authorities to develop a human–tapir co-existence management system and to protect tapir habitat.

Kerinci Seblat National Park (KSNP) is the largest protected area in which Asian tapir Tapirus indicus occurs. Data collected during 3 years of biodiversity surveys indicated that KSNP is one of the most important remaining areas for Asian tapir. Evidence of tapirs was collected by photo-trapping, recording of tapir signs, and interviewing local people. Photo-trapping was carried out in four locations, each representing a different forest type. The results showed that the Asian tapir is widespread throughout the Park and found in a variety of habitats, from montane cloud forests to the degraded fragments of remaining lowland forest. Although formerly believed to be solitary, tapirs were often photo-trapped in pairs. Repeat ‘recapture’ of the same individuals suggests that these pairings may be of long duration. Evidence of distribution and threats throughout the Park and adjacent forests was collected to produce a greater understanding of how best to safeguard the future of this species in KSNP. Deliberate hunting of tapirs in KSNP was found to be rare, and habitat loss and fragmentation poses the most serious threat.