Title
The importance of understanding local legends to conserve wildlife: Freshwater turtles of the Amazon
Author(s)
Ferrara, Camila R.; Schneider, Larissa; Vogt, Richard C.
Published
2021
Publisher
International Journal of Society Systems Science
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to reveal for the first time some of the legends that have been told about turtles from generation to generation in the quilombola communities in the Rio Trombetas. From these simple stories the locals demonstrate their knowledge of the biology of turtles and their supernatural belief in them. These legends represent different aspects of turtle conservation, including the need to limit the poaching of females, sustaining a steady turtle population. Through the perpetration of these legends, the importance to conserve turtles is maintained between the quilombola communities.
Keywords
turtles; Amazon; Trombetas River; legends; podocnemis; Amazonia; culture; conservation; quilombola; Brazil; South America; tropical forest; Amazon Forest; chelonian
Access Full Text
A full-text copy of this article may be available. Please email the WCS Library to request.
![]()
Back
PUB27125