WILDLIFE USE BY RURAL COMMUNITIES IN THE CATAZAJá - LA LIBERTAD WETLANDS, CHIAPAS, MéXICO

The use of wild vertebrates was analyzed for rural communities in Catazajá and La Libertad municipalities, Chiapas state. From interviews (n=190) and two workshops (January 2007-December 2008) applied to four communities (Playas, Punta Arena, Morelos and La Libertad), species, uses, sites and hunting seasons were recorder. A total of 24 species were recognized by local people as resources for food, sale, pet, craft and traditional medicine. Jicotea tortoise (Trachemys scripta), nine banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcintus), Morelet′s crocodile (Crocodylus moreletti), green iguana (Iguana iguana) and white front parrot (Amazona albifrons) were recognized as species with high use value. We analyzed the problematic and the communities propose some strategies that would favor the population increment and the diversity maintenance of wildlife in this region.