Abstract

PARRA-COLORADO, Jean Wilman; BOTERO-BOTERO, Álvaro  and  SAAVEDRA-RODRIGUEZ, Carlos A.. PERCEPTION AND USE OF WILD MAMMALS BY ANDEAN RURAL COMMUNITIES IN GÉNOVA, QUINDIO, COLOMBIA. Bol. Cient. Mus. Hist. Nat. Univ. Caldas [online]. 2014, vol.18, n.1, pp.78-93. ISSN 0123-3068.

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; traditional knowledge; peasant inhabitants; ethnozoology; Quindío.

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