E3 Journal of Environmental Research and Management

E3 Journal of Environmental Research and Management Vol. 4 (11) pp. 0352-0358, December 2013; © E3 Journals; ISSN 2141-7466

A case study of an integrated wildlife management strategy using a sustainable approach in a rural community of southern Mexico

Abstract

This study was carried out in Cano Cruz´s UMA (Unit for Conservation and Sustainable use of Wildlife), Campeche, Mexico, which offers sport-hunting as its main activity. Data were gathered based on a participatory rural appraisal (e.g. semi-structured interviews, direct observations, participation in regional meetings and databases). During 2009 we assessed the sustainability index of UMA hunting and for the integrated/diversified UMA scenario. Data shows that beside sport-hunting there were 12 non-conventional practices in the region, including breeding facilities for fauna to be reintroduced into UMA´s and for local use (e.g. pets), biodiversity interpretative boards, bird watching activities, handicraft exhibitions, as well as a local natural history museum that could be included in UMA´s integrated management strategies. The sustainability index was significantly higher (63.55%) when UMA activities were developed under an integrated and diverse use of wildlife resources, compared to the actual management strategy, which scored only 22.78%. Thus, we propose that local villages in southern México should adopt and apply an integrated of UMA´s activities in order to encourage local, social and economic development, as well as wildlife conservation.

Keywords: wildlife management, integrated management, peasant management, human-wildlife relationships, sustainable approach, natural resources, rural community.