Resumo

RUIZ-MONDRAGON, E. J.; ROMERO-FIGUEROA, G.  e  MARQUEZ-GALLEGOS, I. E.. Knowledge and perception of the withe-tailed deer in rural communities in northeastern Mexico: Implications for its management and conservation. Revista bio ciencias [online]. 2020, vol.7, e950.  Epub 28-Abr-2021. ISSN 2007-3380.  https://doi.org/10.15741/revbio.07.e950.

The success of environmental conservation initiatives increases when traditional knowledge and local perceptions of nature are taken into consideration. The objective of the present research was to obtain information from the knowledge and perception that the inhabitants of some rural communities in northeastern Mexico have about the white-tailed deer, with the purpose to contribute to plan programs for conserving this species. Seventy-three men aged from 17 to 68, who belong to seven rural communities in northern Tamaulipas, were interviewed from January to March 2019. In general, the interviewees feel a profound respect and admiration for the white-tailed deer, since this animal is part of the support of their families and represents a source of experiences that they shared with their relatives and friends. In the region, the use of the species is divided into four categories: food, recreation, commercial activities and tourism. Nevertheless, the general perception of the status of the white-tailed deer population is that it is declining due to overhunting. On the other hand, the knowledge that the inhabitants of the region have about the deer can be sorted into three categories: food, life cycle and behavior of the species. In conclusion, the white-tailed deer is considered as a key resource for the natural communities of northern Tamaulipas, where the inhabitants recognize that they obtain environmental, economic and social benefits. For this reason, it is necessary that the inhabitants be organized and take advantage of their admiration and knowledge for the deer to design a strategy for communal exploitation of the species from which the majority will be benefited.

Palavras-chave : Ethnozoology; local knowledge; Odocoileus virginianus; social thought; white-tailed deer.

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