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

However, it seems certain that the profile of game species taken by individual hunters
at particular times, and of a community as a whole, is strongly affected by the
existence of species-specific prohibitions. Thus, the hunting pressure exerted on
populations of the most preferred game species may be reduced, as hunters unable
to consume them turn their attention to alternative targets.
The most appropriate geographical scale at which to consider the ecological
effects of hunting prohibitions may be that of the hunting road. Each of these is
typically used by a fairly small number of hunters, in several cases a number of close
relatives who generally hunt as a single group. The common extension of dietary
prohibitions to relatives means that all may on occasion be subject to the same
prohibition. Even when this is not the case, the group will presumably be less likely to
seek out, track or attempt to pursue game that one or more of its members is
prohibited from eating. Furthermore, because some men, and their dogs, specialise
somewhat in the hunting of particular animals, their lack of participation may reduce
the ability of the group as a whole to capture the prey species concerned. The result
will be that local hunting pressure on the species concerned will be markedly reduced
or absent for the duration of the prohibition. Prohibited species will thus experience a
spatial refuge from hunting within that particular area, for as long as the prohibition is
in effect.
The case of the tapir may be particularly significant in this. Owing to its low
population density, reproductive rate and growth rate, this species is particularly
vulnerable to overhunting. The other species most favoured as game by Wapishana
hunters are all more abundant and have higher rates of reproduction, and thus are
better able to withstand hunting pressure (Bodmer et al. 1994; Bodmer 1995;
Bodmer et al. 1997a; Alvard et al. 1997). The ecological importance of tapirs as
dispersers of several species of forest trees has already been noted, and it is also
worth noting that of the other mammal species commonly hunted, only the scatter-
hoarding rodents act as dispersers, and the range of species involved and
geographical scope appear to be far more limited. There are thus compelling
ecological reasons for the provision of special mechanisms for the conservation of
populations of tapirs, more than any other species of forest animal.
The other major dispersers of forest trees are the large primates. Although the
studies cited above demonstrated that they are also susceptible to overhunting when
shotguns are commonly used, hunting of primates is subject to severe technological
constraints in a society for whom bows and arrows remain the major hunting weapons
(Hames 1979: 233). The long duration of post-partum prohibitions on consumption