Commercial Hunting by Subsistence Hunters: Sirionó Indians and Paraguayan Caiman in Lowland Bolivia

Abstract

There is increasing interest in including indigenous peoples of Amazonia in conservation activities. Conservation biologists and anthropologists often rely on assumptions of sustainable resource use by these native Amazonians based on traditional patterns of subsistence. As indigenous societies become more market oriented, however, they often must exploit floristic and faunal resources to meet growing needs for trade goods. Little is known about how these groups use their resources (particularly those involving animal products) under these conditions, or whether this use is in fact sustainable. In this paper we explore the question of subsistence hunters as commercial hunters, drawing on data collected among the Siriono of lowland Bolivia and their exploitation of the Paraguayan caiman (Caiman yacare). We suggest that any attempt to develop and implement resource conservation management plans must include both biological and social research to assess fully the complexities inherent to the human exploitati...