scholarly journals Giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) distribution, relative abundance and conservation in northwestern Bolivia

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-106
Author(s):  
Guido Ayala ◽  
Robert Benedict Wallace ◽  
Maria Viscarra ◽  
Cynthya Jurado

At the end of the last century northwestern Bolivia was prioritized for further study in a national evaluation of the endangered giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis). In this paper we present a decade of efforts to investigate and systematize data regarding the distribution and relative abundance of giant otters in this wilderness region including 435 distribution points generated from direct observations, confirmed giant otter signs, and interviews with park guards and local people from indigenous communities. We also sampled 1318.6km of river and stream along the Tuichi, Hondo, Arana, Machariapo, Upper Madidi, Enatahua and Heath rivers and their adjacent oxbow lakes in the Madidi National Park, as well as the Undumo and Tequeje rivers in the Tacana Indigenous Territory, and the lower and mid Madidi River and 42.14km of immediately adjacent oxbow lakes. Relative abundance was variable across the region ranging between 0.02 and 0.18 individual/km sampled in streams and rivers, and our data reveals a particularly important giant otter population along the Madidi River much of which remains unprotected. Our data and local reports point towards a possible population recovery within the Madidi and Pilon Lajas protected areas of the region over the last decade. In total we counted 271 animals, identifying 109 individuals through video and photographic throat pattern evidence. We argue that this previously undocumented population is of particular conservation importance due to its connectivity with the well-documented but currently threatened populations of neighboring southeastern Peru. Together northwestern Bolivia and southeastern Peru represent one of the most important conservation strongholds for this species.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
AISDL

Creation of protected areas for biological conservation often conflicts with sustenance of livelihood of local people living inside or nearby regions. Combination between biological conservation and livelihood development has been much remained to be done in protected regions.


Author(s):  
Hasan Alkan ◽  
Mehmet Korkmaz ◽  
Ahmet Tolunay

The protection of natural resources by strict rules at various legal statuses can generally cause damnification for the local people who are the users of this resource. In case the benefit loss that happens by reason of the prohibitions and limitations that are brought related to the usage of the resource is not corrected and local awareness is not created; negative local perceptions can come out pertinent to this resource and in connection with this, hostile attitudes arise related to the resource that is taken under protection. This case is a significant obstacle in front of being able to provide local participation for resource management. In this study the factors that negatively or positively affected the formation of the perceptions of the local people related to the protected areas are studied with the example of Kovada Lake National Park (KLNP). According to the findings of the study, while 25% of the local people have a positive perception on Kovada Lake National Park, the rest has a negative perception. Statistically significant differences have been found between these two groups whose perceptions show differences in terms of the knowledge levels related to the National Park and some losses of benefit that they had for benefiting from it. Santrauka Dėl griežtų teisėsaugos institucijų taikomų gamtinių išteklių apsaugos taisyklių asmenys, naudojantys šiuos išteklius, gali patirti žalos. Dėl draudimų ir ribojimų prarandama nauda negrįžta, neišugdomas ir sąmoningumas. Pateikiamas kliūties, trukdančios vietiniams žmonėms dalyvauti išteklių valdyme, pavyzdys. Veiksniai, teigiamai ar neigiamai veikiantys vietinių žmonių sąmoningumą dėl saugomos teritorijos formavimo, analizuojami Kovados ežero nacionalinio parko pavyzdžiu. Tyrimų duomenimis, 25 % vietinių gyventojų teigiamai vertino Kovados ežero nacionalinio parko apsaugą, kiti – neigiamai. Statistiškai reikšminiai šių dviejų grupių vertinimo skirtumai buvo rasti pagal suvokimą, grįstą žiniomis apie nacionalinį parką ir praradus naudą. Резюме Охрана природных ископаемых на основании строгих правил, диктуемых различными природоохранными учреждениями, может наносить урон лицам, применяющим эти ископаемые. Из-за запретов и ограничений теряется польза от использования ископаемых и в то же время не воспитывается сознательное отношение к охраняемым территориям. В статье представлен пример главных факторов, мешающих местным жителям участвовать в управлении ископаемыми. Факторы, оказывающие положительное или отрицательное воздействие на формирование сознательного отношения местных жителей к охраняемым территориям, анализируются на примере национального парка озера Ковада. На основании данных исследований 25% местных жителей положительно оценивают охрану национального парка озера Ковада, остальные – отрицательно. Статистически значимые различия найдены между этими двумя группами людей, чье представление основано на знаниях о национальном парке и наносимом ущербе.


2013 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 265-275 ◽  
Author(s):  
ISABEL RUIZ-MALLÉN ◽  
HELEN NEWING ◽  
LUCIANA PORTER-BOLLAND ◽  
DIANA J. PRITCHARD ◽  
EDUARDO GARCÍA-FRAPOLLI ◽  
...  

SUMMARYLocal people's involvement in the management of conservation initiatives is central to ongoing debates on the relative merits of distinct biodiversity conservation models. Since different governance models provide distinct opportunities for local people to participate in the management of protected areas, their knowledge of these governance models and motivation to collaborate will vary. This paper analyses cognisance and participation in (1) government-imposed biosphere reserves and (2) community conservation areas, in which ecotourism projects take place. Qualitative and quantitative data (n = 205) were gathered in two indigenous communities in Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Whereas local cognisance of community-driven conservation initiatives is not always greater than cognisance of government-imposed Biosphere Reserves, local participation is always greater. Cognisance of and participation in conservation initiatives depend on the management approach, extent of external resource support, and a community's social organization. Gender and land holding status influence access to information about conservation initiatives, since men with land rights had more access than other people. More participatory mechanisms for decision-making and direct communication strategies between managers and local people are required to improve communities’ involvement in conservation.


Author(s):  
Chiedza Mutanga ◽  
Edson Gandiwa ◽  
Never Muboko ◽  
Oliver Chikuta

The study sought to determine tourist perceptions on the threats to the sustainability of wildlife tourism using a case study of two state protected areas in Zimbabwe. Using close-ended questionnaires, we collected data from 128 tourists in December 2015. Results show respondents generally perceived all the seven tested threats as serious, i.e., illegal hunting, destruction of wildlife habitats, human-wildlife conflict, lack of involvement of local people in national park tourism, lack of benefits from the national park to local communities, negative attitudes towards tourism by local residents, and poor local community and national park relationships. Moreover, respondents generally had similar perceptions on the impacts of the threats on the sustainability of wildlife tourism regardless of their gender, age, level of education and income. We conclude tourists are more environmentally conscious and well informed of the threats to wildlife tourism in Zimbabwe, which may indicate willingness to support conservation. It is thus necessary for park management to promote local people participation in ecotourism, enhance innovative law enforcement measures as well as motivate tourists to participate in conservation. Results could help broaden policy decision-makers' knowledge base in response to sustainable wildlife tourism development challenges.


Land ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher McCarthy ◽  
Hitoshi Shinjo ◽  
Buho Hoshino ◽  
Erdenebuyan Enkhjargal

Indigenous knowledge about biodiversity and conservation is valuable and can be used to sustainably manage protected areas; however, indigenous communities continue to be marginalized due to the belief that their values and behaviors do not align with the overarching mission of conservation. This paper explores the extent of local knowledge and awareness of biodiversity, conservation and protected area management of indigenous communities at Khuvsgol Lake National Park, Mongolia. We investigate current levels of biodiversity awareness and explore perceptions toward conservation values and park management governance. Most respondents had a high awareness of existing biodiversity and held positive attitudes toward nature conservation and protected areas; however, insufficient knowledge of park rules and low levels of trust between local residents and park authorities may undermine conservation objectives in the long run. We identify an unequal share of economic benefits from tourism and preferential treatment toward elite business owners as a source of conflict. Limited information channels and poor communication between local residents and park authorities are also a source for low-level participation in conservation activities. Leveraging the increasing use of information communication technology, such as mobile phones, can serve as a new mechanism for improved information sharing and transparent reporting between local communities, conservationists and protected area authorities.


Ring ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-205
Author(s):  
Ibrahim Wed Abdel Latif ◽  
Przemysław Busse

Abstract Ibrahim W.A.L., Busse P. 2012. Migration of passerines through some protected areas in theeastern part of Egypt. Ring 34: 69-205. The fieldwork - catching and ringing birds using mist-nets - were conducted at several sites during both spring and autumn migration seasons in 2001-2008. These sites were: Burullus Protected Area, Wadi El Rayan Protected Area, Hurghada, Sharm El Shiekh (Ras Mohamed National Park), Saluga and Ghazala Protected Area and Wadi El Gemal Protected Area. Altogether 21 site/seasons were covered (9 in spring and 12 autumn). In the most cases the work in a season lasted 1-2 months and the timing of work was not standardized. This make the results not exactly compatible, but still this is a first so wide study of the mainly passerine migration over the area. The aim of this paper is to make accessible the basic information on passerine migration there. Some non-passerines, that are more easily caught with mist-nets or that are caught ocassionally are listed too. Altogether 19 748 individuals of 117 species were ringed in spring and 11 238 individuals in autumn. The data are presented in the text as faunistics style lists of birds caught in spring and autumn separately, as tables of birds ringed at stations and those that show relative abundance and dominance of species and in Appendices I and II (for spring and autumn) as maps with average numbers per station and as seasonal number dynamics - total for seasons and yearly, if possible. The data included in the paper are treated as a source information about migration over the area studied, while the more detailed data about migration pattern, measurements, stopover ecology will be evaluated in next papers being under preparation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanjan Thapa ◽  
Tejab Pun ◽  
Dipendra Adhikari

Amongst three species of otters, the Asian Small-clawed Otter has not been recorded since Hodgson (1839). Since 1991, the Eurasian Otter has neither been photographed nor sighted in the country. Recently, the Smooth-coated Otter has been reported only from Bardia National Park and its west. In this chaotic situation, a volunteer project was initiated for otter conservation in Nepal three years ago. 1000 copies of an otter conservation awareness poster were printed in 2017 and a second set of posters in 2019. Posters were distributed to local communities while communicating with the local people along the way and during stays. Thus far, we have conducted awareness activities at selected sites in nine districts and four protected areas. Over three years, we have talked with more than 2000 local people about otters and disseminated more than 1300 posters. At all sites, local communities responded that they had not seen otters for 20 to 30 years or more and for the last 10 years, even in protected areas. However, there are hopes that the last scarce individuals or populations of otters remain at very few sites. Overfishing, river poisoning and pollution, hydropower dams and station construction, and sand and pebble extraction from rivers, are the major causes for depletion of otters in these areas. In the past, trapping by Tibetans for otter pelts and by nomads from the plains of Nepal and India were major causes for population declines. In conclusion, we convey a conservation message that humans must learn to co-exist with otters if the species are to survive.  


2017 ◽  
Vol 331 ◽  
pp. 33-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliano S. H. Houndonougbo ◽  
Valère K. Salako ◽  
Rodrigue Idohou ◽  
Fortuné A. Azihou ◽  
Achille E. Assogbadjo ◽  
...  

Elephants are reported to have a dramatic impact on woodyvegetation in protected areas. Careful control of elephant and wood species populations is therefore crucial to successful biodiversity management in such ecosystems. The perceptions of local people and protected areas managers could very usefully supple- ment classic ecological surveys and monito- ring to achieve this goal. This study assessed the perceptions of managers and local people regarding the causes, damage, consequences and management options of elephant pres- sure on the declining dioecious palm Boras- sus aethiopum. The study was conducted in the Pendjari National Park, which is part of the W-Arly-Pendjari transboundary complex of reserves in West Africa. Semi-structured inter- views were conducted with 53 respondents belonging to three socio-professional cate- gories: administrators, ecoguards and local professional hunters. Relative frequency of citation and the Pearson correlation were used to assess the consensus and concordance of their perceptions, respectively. The respon- dents reported a steep increase in the number of elephants in the Pendjari National Park, which they attributed to significant elephant migration from transboundary parks where poaching pressure was perceived as high. This has resulted in high pressure on tree species including B. aethiopum. Despite differences in professional outlook, consensual and concor- dant opinions were noted among administra- tors, ecoguards and local professional hunters on the relationship between B. aethiopum and elephants. A regional approach aiming to pro- tect the elephant population (low poaching) in the W-Arly-Pendjari complex and other neighbouring reserves was suggested in order to limit elephant migration.


Diversity ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolina Sáenz-Bolaños ◽  
Todd K. Fuller ◽  
Eduardo Carrillo J.

Protected areas are intended to achieve the long-term conservation of nature, but not all such areas are equal in their effectiveness because of their varying regulation of human activities. In Costa Rica, we assessed mammal and bird species presence and relative abundance in three protected areas in the northern Talamanca Mountains. In this humid tropical forest area, we placed camera traps in an adjacent national park, forest reserve, and indigenous territories, each with a different mix of human activities. In 10,120 trap nights, we obtained 6181 independent photos of mostly mammals (34 species other than humans) and birds (34 species). Species with greater abundance or only occurrence in the national park were mammals and birds commonly hunted outside of the park, large carnivores rarely documented in other areas, and poachers. Species found more often outside of the park were medium-sized mammals, some birds, and domestic mammals. We conclude that even in the same ecological area, varying regulations related to type of protected area have significant effects on some mammal and bird species abundances and occurrences, and thus need to be considered when assessing the overall effectiveness of protection as a conservation strategy.


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