Ethnoecology, Resource Use, Conservation And Development In A ...

and most of these in very small numbers; these responses are summarised in table
4.9. The exception is the meat of chelonians, which according to interviews with
hunters, appears to be overwhelmingly the most important wild animal food (chapter
4.3.3). 89 percent of the households specifying types of animal food collected
mentioned 'land turtles' or tortoises, a category which encompasses both the yellow-
footed tortoise (Geocheleone denticulata) and its rarer red-footed congener (G.
carbonaria), respectively known locally as the forest and savannah turtle. 'Water
turtles', referring to several species of aquatic chelonians found locally, was the other
major category, mentioned by 61 percent of respondents. The other four categories:
the eggs of chelonians, of iguanas, crabs, and snails, were each mentioned in less
than 15 percent of interviews.
Table 4.9. Percentages of Households in Maruranau interviewed indicating use of
gathered animal foods to report use of particular categories of such foods
Food Category Percentage of respondents reporting use
Tortoise 89
Turtle 61
Turtle eggs 14
Iguana Eggs 14
Crabs 11
Snails 6
The majority of harvested tortoises are Geocheleone denticulata, but only because it
is far more common than G. carbonaria, and both are collected indiscriminately when
found. The high frequency with which these species were mentioned in interviews on
household subsistence strategy reflects their high rate of consumption (see chapter
4.3.3 above). The presence of numerous discarded shells in various states of decay is
characteristic of hunting camps and farm houses in the forest, where they are
employed as seats and rough bowls when needed. In fact, many people consider that
their populations have declined significantly as a result of high consumption,
particularly along farm roads and in other areas subject to high levels of human
traffic.
Over the course of the study I witnessed a pragmatic response to this perceived
decline, in the form of a process of incipient management of Geocheleone populations
by one group of hunters. The strategies employed included selective capture
according to age and sex and the relocation of animals, especially females, from