Characterization of hunting activity in Brazil

• Grant number: 24/22487-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2025
• End date: March 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology - Applied Ecology
• Principal Investigator: Márcio Leite de Oliveira
• Grantee: Nádia Gabriela da Silva
• Host Institution: Universidade de Araraquara (UNIARA). Associação São Bento de Ensino. Araraquara , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 24/18433-5 - Impacts of Hunting Pressure on Forest Ecosystems, AP.R

Abstract

Understanding hunting practices in Brazil is essential to evaluate their environmental, social, and economic impacts. Hunting in Brazil, especially in tropical regions, has historically been significant for local communities, serving as a source of food and income. However, illegal hunting poses a significant threat to ecological balance, contributing to the spread of zoonotic diseases and the loss of native species, even affecting legally protected areas. A thorough understanding of this practice is essential to mitigate its impacts, support more effective public policies, and develop conservation strategies. This study aims to characterize illegal hunting in Brazil by identifying the most commonly used weapons, the periods of the year and locations where the crime is most frequent, and the most affected species. Data collection will be conducted through online news articles retrieved using the Google News platform. Keywords such as "hunting" and "caliber" will be employed to find relevant information. Extracted data will include locations, dates, hunted species, types of weapons, and calibers used. The collected data will be organized into a database and analyzed using techniques such as Kernel density for temporal patterns and spatial density mapping. Frequency analyses will also be conducted on the data regarding weapons, calibers, and species. The study is expected to identify patterns of illegal hunting in Brazil, including the most affected regions, the most commonly used weapons, the most hunted species, and critical periods of the year for this activity. The results will provide systematic data to support public policies, enforcement strategies, and conservation efforts, contributing to the mitigation of hunting impacts on Brazilian biodiversity.