干旱区生态环境知识资源中心

Hunting and the use of the fauna are ancient practices and have performed an important social-economic role in the northeastern semi-arid region of Brazil. From a conservationist point of view, these activities have obvious implications that require better investigation, aiming to subsidize sustainable handling plans. This study aims to analyse the hunting practices directed at vertebrates and their use in two cities from the semi-arid region, Paraiba state (Brazil), as well as to evaluate the implications of these practices for conservation. Information has been collated through interviews with semi-structured questionnaires and supplemented by informal interviews. A total of 37 hunters or users of wild animal products have been interviewed. The hunting fauna recorded in this study is represented by 81 vertebrate species, which fit into the following categories of use: food (42 species); pets (31 species); medicinal (15 species); craft (05 species) and religious purposes (03 species). A total of 21 species are slaughtered under control, as they may be dangerous or harmful. It has been noticed that within these species with value of use, the taxonomic groups with a more important role are birds and mammals. Our results have urgently pointed out the need to create educational programs for local residents, in order to organize the hunting activities. Considering that hunting and the use of the wild fauna are ordinary activities in the region, it is urgent that control of these practices is improved, since the legal implications have not been effective. The development of handling and conservation plans must consider the social and cultural context of the people involved in these activities, and be implemented with respect to the population as users of these resources.