El País
El guía turístico estrella del rincón más biodiverso del mundo
El costarricense Dionisio Paniagua es una celebridad local por mostrar en redes la fauna y flora del Parque Nacional Corcovado, territorio que acumul…
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Nature's Cleaners: Caracara Birds Provide Tick Removal Service for Tapirs in Costa Rica
Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica - A remarkable display of interspecies cooperation was recently captured in Corcovado National Park, showcasing the symbiotic relationship between a tapir and a caracara bird. The video, filmed by local guide Nito, reveals a caracara meticulously removing ticks and other parasites from a tapir's body. The large mammal, identified as a tapir, was observed standing calmly as the caracara perched on its back and head, using its specialized hooked beak to pluck off the bothersome parasites. The tapir even lowered its head and eventually lay down on the sandy ground, seemingly to allow the bird easier access to areas like its ears and between its legs, where ticks commonly gather. According to Nito, this behavior is a well-established mutualistic relationship within the park's ecosystem. For the tapir, the caracara's actions provide significant relief from irritating and potentially harmful parasites. For the caracara, the ticks serve as a readily available source of protein-rich food. This natural partnership highlights the intricate balance and interdependence found in the wild, where different species benefit from each other's presence.
