Addressing Cultural Challenges Through Environmental Education: An Educational Approach for the Preservation of Fauna and the São Francisco River Water Basin

Abstract

Despite sometimes vehemently disapproving crimes against wildlife, many people who raise wild animals such as PET do not realize how this action can be linked to these crimes. The maintenance, capture and consumption of wild fauna is something inherent to the culture of some communities. Therefore, it is common to find birds, reptiles and small mammals in homes. Due to cultural heritage, the population is accustomed to the domestication of these animals, not feeling uncomfortable when encountering wild animals in the homes of relatives and acquaintances. Therefore, aiming to raise awareness among communities surrounding the São Francisco River Basin in Sergipe, educational actions were carried out to discuss the importance of conserving wild fauna for maintaining the ecosystems linked to the basin. These actions, carried out in educational institutions from kindergarten to higher education, sought to discuss the role of fauna in dispersing seeds and maintaining population balance, as well as the impacts generated by extinction events. Furthermore, the relationship between the culture of extraction, hunting and domestication with crimes such as animal abuse and trafficking was discussed. These Environmental Education actions were part of the Integrated Preventive Inspection (FPI) promoted by the São Francisco River Basin Committee. It reached 1,119 students from five educational institutions. Many of the listeners were surprised to realize that they had wild animals at home or in their families, not being aware of their classification as such. Awakening participants' perception of responsibility for crimes against wildlife is an important result of this work. Children and adolescents who become aware of the ecological role can become important barriers to the continuity of the culture of irregular exploitation of wild animals. A gradual change in behavior over the next generations, rethinking cultural practices and promoting a break in the continuity of reprehensible habits can, in fact, efficiently combat crimes against wildlife. In this context, in the long term, Environmental Education actions are as important as repressive actions.