El papel de la etnozoología en la conservación de la fauna: Un estudio de caso en la comunidad San Eduardo perteneciente a la provincia de Zamora Chinchipe

Abstract

Abstract: This thesis focuses on analyzing the ethnozoological practices found and their relationship with conservation in the San Eduardo community. The main objective was to evaluate the role of ethnozoology in the conservation status of the fauna. An exploratory investigation was used through interviews with residents of the entire community, obtaining popular information from the area, complemented with qualitative analysis. This research contributes significantly to the protection of species in the community where there are various practices associated with wildlife. Five relevant species were identified for their use: opossum, hummingbird, güishco, armadillo and leaf litter snake, they are the most used by the inhabitants of the community because they constitute their main contribution of protein, providing them with benefits both for food and for traditional medicine; The actions that would contribute to the conservation of the species are to eliminate hunting, such as; The opossum is threatened for reasons that hunt it and its population is decreasing, where it would be essential for the competent authority and members of the community to generate strategies for its management and its conservation status to impart to future generations. Ethnozoological knowledge about wild species could be used to complement conservation efforts and create sustainable management projects for local fauna.