# Tapir Rescue in Costa Rica Rainforest

> Two men save a tapir from flesh-eating parasites at midnight in Costa Rica.
- Title: Tapir Rescue in Costa Rica Rainforest · Digital Camera World
- Summary: Two men save a tapir from flesh-eating parasites at midnight in Costa Rica. Michiel van Noppen captured a tapir being treated for screwworms in Costa Rica's…
- Keywords: baird's tapir, screwworm, costa rica, costa rican rainforest, fritz polking prize, canon eos r6, wildlife photography, tapir treatment, Tapir, Rescue, Costa, Rica
- Source: Digital Camera World — https://digitalcameraworld.com/photography/awards-and-competitions/at-17-minutes-past-midnight-two-men-in-the-costa-rican-rainforest-fight-to-save-a-tapir-from-a-flesh-eating-parasite-michiel-van-noppen-was-there-to-capture-the-action-in-style
- Published: 2026-10-03T06:15:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: baird's tapir, screwworm, costa rica, costa rican rainforest, fritz polking prize, canon eos r6, wildlife photography, tapir treatment
## Midnight Tapir Rescue
At 17 minutes past midnight, two men in the Costa Rican rainforest fight to save a tapir from a flesh-eating parasite.

> At 17 minutes past midnight, two men in the Costa Rican rainforest fight to save a tapir from a flesh-eating parasite.
## Tapir Infested with Screwworms
A Baird's tapir has a large open wound and scars from screwworm infestation.

> A Baird's tapir has a large open wound and scars from screwworm infestation.
## Screwworm Threat in Costa Rica
Screwworms were eradicated from Costa Rica over 40 years ago but illegal livestock trafficking has recently brought them back.

> Screwworms were eradicated from Costa Rica over 40 years ago but illegal livestock trafficking has recently brought them back.
## Photography Details
Michiel van Noppen shot the image using a Canon EOS R6 at 1/25 sec, f/5.6, ISO 8000 with flash.

> Michiel van Noppen shot the image using a Canon EOS R6 at 1/25 sec, f/5.6, ISO 8000 with flash.
## Why This Shot Works
The flash freezes the tapir while the headtorch glow shows the team working in darkness.

> The flash freezes the tapir while the headtorch glow shows the team working in darkness.
## Fritz Pölking Prize
Michiel van Noppen will receive the Fritz Pölking Prize 2026 at the International Nature Photography Festival on 23 October.

> Michiel van Noppen will receive the Fritz Pölking Prize 2026 at the International Nature Photography Festival on 23 October.
## Key takeaway

Michiel van Noppen captured a tapir being treated for screwworms in Costa Rica's rainforest at 17 minutes past midnight.