Tradition and Trade: Culture and Exploitation of Avian Fauna by a Rural Community Surrounding Protected Areas in the South of Bahia’s State, Northeastern Brazil

Abstract

Background: Illegal capture and trade of wild birds are some of the most present types of wildlife trade in Brazil, and are often associated with cultural and socioenvironmental aspects. Those habits are particularly present in rural communities, where bird trade can be a source of income in dire economic situations and bird-keeping is a cultural trait passed from generations. Methods: We conducted a series of direct interviews with bird-keepers and traders within the surrounding region of the Parque Nacional de Boa Nova regarding wild bird trade and socioenvironmental aspects, then associated the collected information using different exploratory analysis.Results: A total of 21 avian species was mentioned as being used as pets and in commercialization, contests and breeding, most of the occurring naturally in the surrounding region. Most respondents were men possessing low levels of education and income. Bird-keeping was surrounded by practices regarding the captive individual’s health and singing abilities. Mentioned methods used to capture wild birds often involved specialized traps and were mostly conducted within the national park’s area. Bird trade was said to occur mostly in urban settlements, and the value of captive birds was said to vary based on species and beforehand training. The official establishment of the protected area impaired all practices related bird-keeping and trade, mostly as a result of increased surveillance by environmental agencies.Conclusion: The collected information presents a series of specialized habits and practices involved in bird-keeping, bird capture and bird trade, many of them being associated with the local avifauna surrounding the region. Our study also points the efficiency of protected area surveillance to contain practice’s related to illegal wildlife trade.