Local Knowledge and use of Primates by an Extractivist Community in the Upper River Juruá, Brazilian Amazon

Abstract

Amazonian hunters cite primates as their preferred hunting targets. In this study, we investigated the perception of an animal's sex by hunters when targeting primates, the primate diversity, and hunting preferences by riverine communities of the Reserva Extrativista Riozinho da Liberdade. During 151 days, we recorded 188 hunted individuals corresponding to seven species and 697.2 kg through a hunting calendar. The howler monkey (Alouatta juara) and the white-fronted capuchin (Cebus unicolor) were the most hunted species, totaling 24% and 23% of the individuals, respectively. In terms of flavor, the extractivist families preferred the sakis (Pithecia vanzolinii) and the howler monkeys. The large-headed capuchin (Sapajus macrochepalus) was the only species cited for medicinal use. Generally, hunters did not recognize the sex of individuals during their hunting activity, yet 90% declared to be able to differentiate males and females of A. juara. Only one hunter has self-declared as having the ability to recognize the sex of all primate species occurring in the reserve. Although such initial data do not allow previewing the sustainability of hunting on primates in the study area, they show potential for helping mitigation and joint actions between social and environmental services while supported by the traditional knowledge.