The White-lipped Peccary (Tayassu pecari) plays a crucial role in neotropical rainforests, acting as an ecosystem engineer by dispersing seeds and modifying its environment through its social behavior. However, this species, which once had a wide presence in Mesoamerica, has experienced a dramatic decline, losing 87% of its historical range. This decline has made it one of the most threatened large herbivores in the region. The threats facing the white-lipped peccary are numerous. Habitat loss and fragmentation, driven by agricultural and livestock expansion, along with illegal logging, have drastically reduced the areas where it can live. Additionally, its social behavior, which leads to the formation of large groups, makes it particularly vulnerable to hunting, causing entire populations to disappear in key areas. Human impacts on its habitats, as demonstrated through human influence indices and forest cover studies, show that peccaries are extremely sensitive even to moderate levels of human disturbance.

In this context, the Maya Biosphere Reserve stands as a critical refuge for the survival of the white-lipped peccary. The large blocks of habitat that remain within this reserve, especially those that span international borders such as the Maya Forest in Guatemala, Mexico, and Belize, are essential for the conservation of the species. These territories harbor some of the last viable peccary populations in Mesoamerica, and their protection is vital to prevent the extinction of the species in the region.

To ensure the long-term survival of the white-lipped peccary, it is essential that the countries sharing the Maya Biosphere Reserve implement coordinated management. This includes restoring connectivity between habitats, reducing illegal hunting through cooperation with local communities, and developing conservation strategies based on solid scientific data regarding population distribution and size. Moreover, it is crucial to reassess the conservation status of the species at both national and regional levels to better align with the realities on the ground and allocate the necessary resources for its protection.

Conserving the white-lipped peccary is not only essential for the survival of the species but also for the overall health of the ecosystems it inhabits. Conservation efforts must focus on maintaining the integrity of forest habitats, improving connectivity between protected areas, and reducing hunting pressure to ensure that this important ecosystem engineer continues to play its vital role in neotropical forests.