Assessing human-bat interactions around a protected area in northeastern Brazil

Bibliographic Data

ID4649538
AuthorsKarlla Morganna Da Costa Rego (Universidade Federal da Paraíba), Caio G Zeppelini (0000-0002-0490-4395, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, corresponding author), Luiz Carlos Serramo Lopez (0000-0002-9983-5563, Universidade Federal da Paraíba), Romulo Romeu Da Nóbrega Alves (0000-0001-6824-0797, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba)
Year2015
Volume11
Issue1
Pages80
Publication date2015-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1746-4269 • E-ISSN: 1746-4269
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1186/s13002-015-0058-7
PMID26576760
OpenAlexW2172881607
LanguageEN
Citations received14
References cited37

Background Bats are key components to the Neotropical forests. Unfortunately, their bad reputation is a major obstacle in their conservation as it creates fear and hostility towards them. Understanding this reputation acquired by bats and studying interactions between bats and humans has shown fundamental promise when creating strategies to forge a non-antagonistic coexistence between both parts and in the promotion of bat conservation in areas with ever-rising human occupation. Methods Ninety people were surveyed from three villages that were situated around a Biological Reserve in the state of Paraiba; located in Northern Brazil. The survey was completed using semi-structured interviews addressing villager's knowledge of the biology and ecology of bats, their interactions with bats, potential medicinal uses, and their socioeconomic situation. Additionally, we sampled the bats that reside in or visit these villages. Results Bats were often considered harmful, dangerous and carriers of disease. Bats were often connected to hematophagia, as well. The respondents believe that impacts such as the deforestation are forcing bats into urban environments. With this research, we were able to register one of the few records of bats in popular medicine in Brazil. Conclusion The folklore and superstition surrounding bats can form an obstacle that affects their conservation. Environmental education is an important step in order to create a harmonious coexistence between humans and bats and to mitigate the impending conflicts between humanity and nature

Biodiversity · Biology · Bushmeat · Conservation biology · Deforestation (computer science · Geography · Situated · Wildlife · Animal and Plant Science Education · Bat Biology and Ecology Studies · Human-Animal Interaction Studies · Zoonotic diseases and public health · Ecology

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