Title
Perception and use of wild mammals by andean rural communities in Génova, Quindio, Colombia.
Author(s)
Parra-Colorado, Jean Wilman; Botero-Botero, Álvaro; Saavedra-Rodríguez, Carlos A.
Published
2014
Publisher
Boletín Científico. Centro de Museos. Museo de Historia Natural
Abstract
Traditional knowledge reflects how human communities relate to the environment and is represented by perception, attitude and use. This study determines and compares the perception, attitude and use of wild mammals by rural inhabitants of the villages of Río Rojo, San Juan, Río Gris and Pedregales, municipality of Génova, department of Quindío. Between May and August 2011, 18 farms were visited and the recognition of species by children and adults, and patterns of perception, attitude and use were established. The adult farmers identified 27 species of mammals, of which 12 are used as food, medicine, ornaments or pets. The species with the highest importance of use are Nasua nasua, Nasuela olivacea, Cuniculus taczanwoski, Dasypus novemcinctus and Mazama rufina. The neutral perception of wild mammals is general in the area and hunting has decreased in recent years. Nevertheless, eight species are recognized as causing conflicts: Puma concolor, Nasua nasua, Nasuela olivacea, Cerdocyon thous, Tremarctos ornatus, Mustela frenata, Didelphis pernigra and Sciurus granatensis; P. concolor is perceived negatively and faces greater hunting pressure. Actions should be taken in the area to reduce human-animal conflict, eliminate hunting, and promote the protection of forested areas that are habitats for native fauna. Traditional knowledge reflects how human communities relate to the environment and it is represented by perception, attitude and use. The perception, attitude and use of wild mammals by peasant inhabitants of the villages of Río Rojo, San Juan, Río Gris and Pedregales from the Génova municipality, department of Quindío are determined and compared in this study. Eighteen farms were visited between May and August 2011, and the recognition of species by children and adults was established as well as patterns of perception, attitude, and use. Adult farmers identified 27 species of mammals from which twelve are used as food, medicine, ornament or pets. The most important species and use are Nasua nasua, Nasuela olivacea, Cuniculus taczanwoski, Dasypus novemcinctus and Mazama rufina. Neutral perception about wild mammals is a generality in the area and hunting has diminished in the last years. Nevertheless, eight species are known to cause conflicts: Puma concolor, Nasua nasua, Nasuela olivacea, Cerdocyon thous, Tremarctos ornatus, Mustela frenata, and Sciurus granatensis; Didelphis pernigra. P. concolor is negatively perceived and faces greater hunting pressure. Actions to reduce the human-animal conflict, to eliminate hunting and to promote protection of forested areas that are habitats of native fauna must be oriented.
Keywords
Andes; peasant communities; traditional knowledge; ethnozoology; ethnozoology; ethnozoology; peasant inhabitants; Quindío; traditional knowledge; traditional knowledge

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PUB26965