Once relatively common throughout Central America, the Baird’s tapir is on the decline. Interest in captive tapirs rises as the wild tapir population drops, a situation which some say offers hope for the species. Captive tapir expert Rick Barongi is a firm believer in the power of education to move mountains – or help tapirs. An unabashed champion of zoos, Rick helps spread the word about the plight of the tapir, in the hope that visitors will take an interest in the animal and its future. Gradually, a handful of experts have risen to the challenge, and field research into the behavior of wild tapirs is beginning to provide a more complete picture of this elusive animal – a picture which Rick hopes will inspire a species-saving solution.