The human dimension for jaguar conservation in the Huasteca Potosina region, Mexico

Transcription

1 The human dimension for jaguar conservation in the Huasteca Potosina region, Mexico Alejandra Olivera-Méndez, Colegio de Postgraduados, Campus San Luis Potosí J. Adrián Figueroa-Hernández, Ecoparadigma Octavio C. Rosas-Rosas, Colegio de Postgraduados, Campus San Luis Potosí E. Rubí González-Sierra, Colegio de Postgraduados, Campus San Luis Potosí César Sánchez-Ibarra, Nuevas Áreas Protegidas, CONANP

2 BACKGROUND One of the main challenges nowadays is to design programs that contribute both to wildlife conservation and community development, especially with big predators such as the jaguar. The solution to biodiversity conservation problems could be more effective by developing studies that explore social interactions with biodiversity, and to evaluate the use and perceptions of people have in regards to their natural resources and wildlife. (Galvin, 2006)

3 BACKGROUND In general, people is not conscious about the role jaguars and other predators have in the ecosystem. When the future of ecosystems and wildlife opposes to the survival of human families, then the areas that haven t been exploited stand little chance. Local communities need to obtain the best possible gain out of their land in order to survive, and generally this is done through agricultural production.

4 San Luis Potosí: Supports the fifth biggest biological richness rates in the country Vast diversity of wildlife Transitional area between zoogeographical areas neartic and neotropical BACKGROUND

5 JAGUAR CONSERVATION IN THE HUASTECA POTOSINA The jaguar (Panthera onca) is found within the great biodiversity in the region. Its function is to regulate wild animal populations of which it preys, and contributes to the prevention of disease s spread, thus keeping an equilibrium in the ecosystem One of the priority species for conservation Listed in the NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2001, under Endangered species.

6 JAGUAR CONSERVATION IN THE HUASTECA POTOSINA Since 2006, there have been a series of scientific projects to study the conservation status and distribution of jaguars in San Luis Potosí. Villordo Galván et al., 2008

7 JAGUAR CONSERVATION IN THE HUASTECA POTOSINA Program promoted by: Wildlife offices of San Luis Potosí State government With the support of: Wildlife Without Borders USFWS program Colegio de Postgraduados Ecoparadigma SEMARNAT PROFEPA

8 OBJECTIVE The main objective was to do a needs assessment and an inventory of natural resources usage, as well as understanding the perception rural communities in the Huasteca Potosina have towards jaguars, in order to propose alternatives that promote a sustainable development, allowing the conservation of natural resources.

9 METHODOLOGY Participatory appraisal workshops in fourteen communities of the Huasteca Potosina region in Mexico (September 2008 March 2009). With the participation of approximately 400 community members. 67% men 28% women 5% children

10 METHODOLOGY HUASTECA POTOSINA Tamaulipas SAN LUIS POTOSÍ LOCATION OF THE COMMUNITIES STUDIED Querétaro

11 METHODOLOGY Group activities: Know my land How s my community? Community SWOT analysis Life network Individual activities: Word association My community

12 NATURAL RESOURCES MENTIONED BY THE COMMUNITIES 446 natural resources enlisted in total 2% 1% 1% Plants 37% Animals 59% Minerals Water sources (springs, streams, etc.) Turistic places

13 USE OF NATURAL RESOURCES BY THE COMMUNITIES Forrage & food for wild animals 6% Ornament or shade (plants & animals) 6% Others 5% For sale 2% Tourism 1% Pets 1% Transport 0% Food 23% No use mentioned 8% Construction, furniture, fencing, wood 10% Without use 18% Medicine (both for humans & animals) 20%

14 Number of communities PRESENCE OF WILD ANIMALS IN THE COMMUNITIES LAND Armadillo Collared peccary & skunk Plain chachalaca, sparrowhawk & coati Wild turkey, pheasant, squirrel, jaguar, ocelot, gray fox, owl, white tailed deer, tropical rattler & viper snake Cougar & opossum Rabbit, coyote, bat, ruddy pigeon, spotted paca, coral snake & indigo snake Quail, partridge, racoon, brown jay & vulture. Parrot, jaguarundi & brocket deer

15 Percentage MAIN PROBLEMS FACED BY THE COMMUNITIES

16 JAGUAR PRESENCE & ABUNDANCE Communities with jaguar presence Community perception of jaguar abundance 50% Without presence 21% 40% 30% With presence 79% 20% 10% 0% Regular Few Very few

17 PERCEPTION OF JAGUARS Four communities (28.57%) stressed that: the jaguar is harmful & dangerous Predates on livestock (calves) and dogs Only one community with regular abundance didn t defined the jaguar as harmful. Just in one community was mentioned, as one use of the jaguar, that its fur could be sold.

18 DIFFERENCES IN THE PERCEPTION OF CONFLICT AMONG THE COMMUNITIES The jaguar is one of the main factors detrimental to the community. That animal kills for the sake of it. Wild animals are one of the most valuable things the community has. Dogs run after the deer when they see it, and the jaguar then kills them. It s a necessity for the jaguar, as we also hunt for food.

19 DIFFERENCES IN THE PERCEPTION OF CONFLICT AMONG THE COMMUNITIES To conserve jaguars is bad because they d eat all the defenseless animals, and there s no one to look after them. They compete with the community members for wild animals. The jaguar predates on domestic animals (livestock) because people finishes off with what it eats. We are finishing with the jaguar s food chain.

20 DIFFERENCES IN THE PERCEPTION OF CONFLICT AMONG THE COMMUNITIES Illegal hunting and poaching happens in the region. Although wild animals don t have a direct use, it s important to conserve them, including jaguars. In order to look after the jaguar, we have to look after the forest first.

21 DIFFERENCES IN THE PERCEPTION OF CONFLICT AMONG THE COMMUNITIES It s expensive to keep and look after the livestock for the jaguar to eat them or just kill them. We don t mess up with the jaguar. However, it damages our livestock Nobody has killed a jaguar We benefit from the forest. When they know the jaguar will approach (dry season), they move their cattle to another place. The jaguar s habitat has to be taken care off because otherwise it will come closer to the community and there ll be more predation problems.

22 DIFFERENCES IN THE PERCEPTION OF CONFLICT AMONG THE COMMUNITIES As a solution to the damage jaguars cause, members proposed killing the jaguars or having economical compensation. They teach their children not to kill an animal unless they ll eat it, because it s an ornament for the forest.

23 PROPOSED SOLUTIONS BY THE COMMUNITIES The government has to intervene: Economic compensation Defense training To hunt, kill, cage o relocate them. Better livestock management: Taking better care of calves, calved cows and weak animals Fenced fields Keeping livestock tight Avoiding the dense forest areas.

24 ALTERNATIVES FOR CONFLICT RESOLUTION Livelihood diversification Training in sustainable management of natural resources Implementation of livestock management systems Carbon capture Irrigation systems Rural or alternative tourism projects Improvement of productive and value chains

25 ALTERNATIVES FOR CONFLICT RESOLUTION In those communities with stronger conflicts: Income generation activities Improvement of community organization, specially in regards to forest rangers and livestock management Instigate feasible solutions to predation conflicts Keeping a close contact and surveillance by the government

26 CONCLUSIONS Predation by jaguars is not the only problem faced by ranchers, but remains one of the biggest threats for the survival of the species. There is potential for the implementation of habitat conservation projects in the studied communities. Some aspects that could be considered are the implementation of training workshops for environmental education, sustainable natural resources management, community organization, and the establishment of more protected areas.

27 CONCLUSIONS Conservation is not only about securing physical spaces, but also about securing income generation through livelihoods diversification or value chain enhancement for the members of the communities in the surroundings. Also, conflicts between humans and jaguars will persist if essential terms for biodiversity conservation and good practices in livestock management are not included within federal government programs.

28 CONCLUSIONS Effective conservation requires an understanding and consideration of the users motives, interests and values, as well as an interactive, reciprocate and continuous communication among them. Environment education and sustainable development programs are essential for conservation policies and for conflict resolution between jaguars and rural communities.

29 THANK YOU!