Uso da fauna pelos moradores da Reserva de Desenvolvimento Sustentável do Uatumã, Amazonas

Abstract

Human societies establish various forms of wildlife use, and a lack of awareness can compromise its conservation. This study investigated the use of wild fauna by residents of the Uatumã Sustainable Development Reserve (SDR). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 residents from four communities between May and June 2024, aged between 18 and 65 years. Results indicated that wildlife is used primarily for food (56%) and traditional medicine (40%), with the lowland paca (Cuniculus paca) being the most frequently cited species. The predominant hunting techniques were ambush (30%) and surprise attacks (27%), with shotguns being the most commonly used weapon. Seasonality influences hunting practices, with the flood season being the most favorable period, especially at night, for species such as paca and agouti. Respondents reported population declines of tapir, yellow-spotted river turtle, and paca, attributed to wildfires, uncontrolled exploitation, and overhunting. Community rules, such as the prohibition of meat commercialization and restrictions on hunting by non-residents, were identified as local management strategies. These norms reflect an adaptive effort to balance subsistence and conservation. Traditional knowledge proved fundamental for supporting wildlife conservation actions in protected areas, reinforcing the need for policies that integrate local knowledge and participatory management.