Abstract
<title>Abstract</title> <p>The transport of large perissodactyls under zoological management presents anesthetic, physiologic, and logistical challenges, particularly during prolonged journeys across variable environmental conditions. Published information regarding the interinstitutional relocation of captive lowland tapirs (Tapirus terrestris) in Ecuador appears to be limited. One male (150 kg) and one female (180 kg) were transferred over approximately 6 hr across multiple climatic and altitudinal regions. The female received medetomidine (0.025 mg/kg IM) and ketamine (0.5 mg/kg IM), requiring supplemental anesthetic administration to achieve adequate immobilization. The male received dexmedetomidine (20 µg/kg IM), ketamine (0.5 mg/kg IM), and butorphanol (0.12 mg/kg IM). Both animals received atipamezole prior to departure. A transient hypothermic episode occurred in the female during immobilization and resolved uneventfully before transit. No major complications occurred during relocation. A superficial dorsal traumatic lesion developed in the male secondary to contact with the transport crate structure and resolved with topical treatment alone. Both tapirs demonstrated favorable post-transfer adaptation without evidence of delayed morbidity. These observations suggest that coordinated anesthetic planning, environmental management, stress-reduction strategies, and continuous veterinary monitoring may facilitate the safe interinstitutional transport of captive lowland tapirs under zoological management.</p>