Hunters and hunting across indigenous and colonist communities at the forest-agriculture interface: an ethnozoological study from the Peruvian Amazon.

BACKGROUND: Wildlife has been traditionally used by forest communities as a source of protein, and the Peruvian Amazon is no exception. The articulation of colonist and indigenous communities to urban centers and markets results in changes in livelihood strategies and impacts on wildlife populations. To address the threat of overhunting and forest conversion, we provide a generalized characterization of colonist and indigenous communities and their hunting activities near Pucallpa, Ucayali, Peru. METHODS: A semi-structured household survey was conducted to characterize hunters and describe their prey collections. The data were analyzed by conducting a Kruskal-Wallis test, a multiple regression analysis, and by estimating the harvest rate (H). RESULTS: Less wealthy households were more actively engaged in hunting for food security and as a livelihood strategy. Additionally, older hunters were associated with higher hunting rates. Although the percentage of hunters was relatively low, estimated hunting rates suggest overharvesting of wildlife. Lowland pacas (Cuniculus paca) were the most frequently hunted prey, followed by red brocket deer (Mazama americana) and primates. While hunting intensity was not significantly different between indigenous and colonist communities, hunting rate disparities suggest there are different types of hunters (specialized vs. opportunistic) and that prey composition differs between communities. CONCLUSION: Close monitoring of wildlife populations and hunting activities is ideal for more accurately determining the impact of hunting on wildlife population and in turn on forest health. In lack of this type of information, this study provides insight of hunting as a shifting livelihood strategy in a rapidly changing environment at the forest/agriculture frontier.

Capybara meat: An extraordinary resource for food security in South America.

The available information on capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) meat, an important resource for the subsistence of many traditional communities in several South American countries, is reviewed. Some features of the species, such as an herbivorous diet, high prolificacy, rapid growth rate, tameness, and social behaviour, which allow its commercial use through harvesting in Venezuela and farming in Brazil, where commercial hunting is not allowed, is discussed. Key characteristics of capybara meat, is low saturated fat and cholesterol content. Discussions about management and handling practices regarding animal welfare and capybara meat quality are also highlighted. After commenting on ethical, political, and economic implications of wildlife use it is concluded that capybara meat has an extraordinary potential to satisfy the growing demand for healthy and high-quality protein of animal origin for the subsistence of many people in the Neotropics.

El consumo de carne como tendencia cultural en la Amazonía colombiana / Meat consumption as a cultural trend in the Colombian Amazon basin / EO consumo de carne como uma tendência cultural na Amazônia colombiana

La identificación de tendencias en el consumo de carne resulta indispensable para los planes de establecimiento y asesoría de los sistemas de producción zootécnica, especialmente en zonas de alto impacto ambiental como la Amazonía colombiana. El estudio presentado en este artículo identifica las tendencias globales de consumo de carne, a partir de una muestra poblacional obtenida en la ciudad Amazónica de Florencia, capital del departamento del Caquetá. En el mismo, se concluyó un bajo interés por aspectos relacionados con adecuadas condiciones de manejo y sacrifico de animales, a pesar de considerar este factor como condicionante de la calidad del producto; entre otros resultados, se identifica claramente que el consumo de carne, principalmente de res, obedece a cuestiones culturales y sociales, y no a las características organolépticas del producto o su precio. Con relación al consumo de carne de monte, a partir del análisis de preferencia y precio, en el marco de la inexistencia de zoocriaderos en lo zona o cerca de ella, se deduce la ilegalidad de su proveniencia, y se concluye un desconocimiento pleno de los riegos ambientales, zoonóticos y legales, que acarrea este delito.

Identifying trends in meat consumption is indispensable for establishing plans and advice to animal production systems, especially in areas of high environmental impact such as the Colombian Amazon basin. This study identifies global trends in meat consumption from a sample obtained in the Amazonian city of Florencia, capital of Caquetá province. Lack of interest was observed among the population about proper management conditions and slaughter of animals, despite they considered these factors to be determinant of product quality. The study clearly identified that meat consumption, especially beef, depends more on cultural and social issues than price or organoleptic characteristics of the product. From a preference and price analysis, and considering the lack of wild animal farming in or near the area, we assume all game meat consumed in the area is of illegal origin. Consumers of wild meat are not aware of the environmental, zoonotic and legal risks associated with this offense.

Identificar tendências do consumo de carne é essencial para os quadros de pessoal e conselhos de sistemas de produção animal, especialmente em áreas de alto impacto ambiental, como a Amazônia colombiana. O estudo apresentado neste artigo identifica as tendências mundiais em consumo de carne a partir de uma amostra da população obtida na cidade amazônica de Florença, capital do departamento de Caquetá. Nos mesmos aspectos de juro baixas condições adequadas de manejo e abate de animais, apesar de considerar este fator como determinante da qualidade do produto é concluída; entre outros resultados, identifica claramente que o consumo de carne, especialmente carne, devido a questões culturais e sociais, e não com as características organolépticas do produto ou seu preço. No que diz respeito ao consumo de carne de animais selvagens, a partir da análise de preferência e preço, no contexto da ausência de zoocriaderos na ou perto da área a ele, o ilícita do seu proveniência é claro, e cheio de ignorância, conclui-se ambiental, zoonótico e riscos legais que implica este crime.