An Overview Of Our Solution
The Boras people, an indigenous group residing in the Amazon, earn their livelihood mainly from tourism and exploiting natural resources in areas around Loreto Region. They offer souvenirs and handicrafts made from the parts of jaguars and other felids, yet, these practices are illegal and go unpunished. To address this issue, this proposal aims to work with the Boras community and to initiate a changeover of their image from jaguar hunters to jaguar conservation advocates. The plan involves implementing educational programs to change attitudes towards wildcats and introducing artisans to alternative materials. It focuses on empowering women to create sustainable, locally-sourced handicrafts. The expected outcomes include improving the community's reputation, promoting engagement in biodiversity conservation, and enhancing social well-being and resilience.
- Population Impacted:
- Continent: South America
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Context Analysis
The jaguar plays a vital role in the ecological and cultural heritage of the Peruvian Amazon, serving as a sacred symbol for many indigenous communities. Protecting jaguars and their habitats is crucial to maintain the balance of the ecosystem and to preserve the region's cultural identity. The Boras indigenous people, residing in the Amazon Rainforest of Peru, Brazil, and Colombia, have increasingly relied on tourism for income. However, the trade of souvenirs and handicrafts made from jaguar and other felid parts is illegal, despite being a significant source of profit.
Illegal wildlife trade is a pervasive issue in the Loreto region, where wildlife is sourced from local forests and sold in urban and rural markets. Our research has shown that felid trafficking is driven by both locals and foreigners who purchase luxury items, souvenirs related to ayahuasca tourism, amulets, or ornament made of felid parts as well as small cats for pets. The lack of resources and economic needs of isolated communities can also exacerbate this issue.
The results of a study on human-felid interactions we carried out in Loreto showed a close relationship between negative perceptions, poaching, and trafficking. The killings are normally justified because of the perceived attacks on domestic animals by the felids. However, the real number of conflicts/attacks is low, suggesting that the killings are motivated by other reasons (i.e lack of knowledge, fear, anger).
By working with provincial authorities to combat wildlife trafficking, we have identified an opportunity to address this problem by promoting positive behaviors and perceptions towards wildcats among the Boras community, increasing their stewardship of natural resources, and providing alternative livelihoods to reduce illegal trade. Our ultimate goal is to maintain healthy populations of wild cats in the Momon River basin and protect the ecological and cultural heritage of the Peruvian Amazon.
Describe the technical solution you wanted the target audience to adopt
We aim to combat felid trafficking in the Boras community by promoting sustainable development projects that support economic and social well-being while preserving the environment and traditional way of life. We will work with the Boras through educational activities, highlighting the ecological significance of felids in the ecosystem and implementing participatory monitoring programs to deepen younger generations' understanding and connection to their environment. We will encourage long-term stewardship of their territories and opportunities for tourism while assessing and providing alternatives to the artisanal offer. Artisans will be trained in the sustainable use of various nature-origin products to produce wildcat print fabrics and wood-carved fangs, co-designed with the Boras's artisans and marketed as "jaguar-friendly." Our approach focuses on increasing knowledge, ownership, and awareness of the surrounding environment to change behaviors that threaten felid populations.
Describe your behavioral intervention.
Illegal and unsustainable trade is a global issue, we have been addressing this threat through different approaches in different contexts and countries. For example, we have proven that when knowledge increases, negative perceptions and interactions (i.e. poaching) tend to reduce. Through Panthera´s “Jaguar School” program in Colombia, where children and adults who cohabit with wildcats are exposed to their environment through different biomonitoring techniques and workshops, we have seen that knowledge leads to positive perceptions of wild cats. Likewise, for adults, understanding the importance of wildcat species for their environment, the services they provide, and the capacity built in the communities after the program, has helped to mitigate the negative impact in the felids populations.
In South Africa, fewer than 5000 leopards remain, they are harvested so their furs can be used in ceremonial regalia by cultural/religious groups. In partnership with a local Shembe church, the Furs for Life project was created in 2013, using high-quality and affordable synthetic leopard fur capes, to replace the natural furs in ceremonies. Thousands of capes have been distributed and are gaining increased acceptance, as viable alternatives to authentic leopard furs, among other tribes, thus reducing demand for and acquisition of authentic furs, preventing hundreds of leopard deaths each year.
Behavioral Levers Utilized
As needed, please explain how you utilized the lever(s) in more detail.
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Information: Lack of information about felid ecology and their relationship with humans is the main driver of negative perceptions. For instance, a popular misconception is that shooting a troublesome big feline like a jaguar scares the animal away, whereas in reality, it can weaken the animal and reduce its chances of surviving on its own. This may force the animal to seek easy access to food, such as domestic animals. Therefore, providing the proper information may support conservation goals.
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Material incentives: We will assist and showcase to Boras communities how to diversify their tourist offerings and create alternative artisanal products. This will not only discourage the use of felid parts but also make their products more attractive to tourists.
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Finally, we will employ emotional triggers to cultivate a sense of pride within the community, highlighting their value for present and future generations as an exemplary model for other communities to emulate
Describe your implementation
We aim to shift the Boras community's perception towards wildcats and reduce their incentive to sell felid parts. We will implement various interventions, starting with socializing the project among the Boras and gaining approval from the chief. We will engage with the local school to promote the participation of Boras children, and conduct knowledge and perception surveys to identify the community's needs regarding wildcat protection. The Jaguar School program will involve Boras children in workshops to learn about wildcats’ ecology and their significance for the Amazon ecosystem. The program aims to instill a sense of love, ownership, and pride in future Boras generations. We will co-design and conduct an educational campaign for children to promote awareness about felids and encourage them to influence adult behaviors positively. A group of young Boras will form the Jaguar Biomonitoring group and be introduced to monitoring techniques for wildcat populations, aiming to enhance the community's knowledge, and empower young Boras to become conservation leaders. To provide alternatives to jaguar parts, we will showcase the manufacture of handicrafts related to the jaguar to Boras women artisans. This will enhance the community's image as a jaguar ambassador and provide alternative sources of income. We will promote the Boras community as a jaguar ambassador through advertising in various locations in Iquitos to attract more responsible tourists. We will conduct a final survey to evaluate changes in behavior after the implementation of the project. The main obstacle we may face is the non-approval from the chief to conduct the artisan's workshops. If so, the project will focus on Boras children through the local school's support to conduct the Jaguar School program and youth biomonitoring program. Overall, our project is scalable and can be replicated in other communities facing similar issues with wildlife trafficking and the need for sustainable economic development
Describe the leadership for your solution. Who is leading the implementation?
The Boras women, youth, teachers, and children, will be the main leaders. Our team, will bring a wealth of knowledge and skills, ensuring that it is well-planned, executed, and monitored. Biologists will provide technical support. Education specialists will design and implement the educational program. They will work with a social science consultant to ensure that the program is culturally appropriate and respectful of Boras traditions and beliefs and will bring the expertise in Amazon Indigenous people's culture. Project manager will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations, working closely with community leaders to ensure that the project is well-received, and will also be responsible for coordinating the work of the team and ensuring that the project is progressing according to plan. The chief will be responsible for ensuring that the project is sustainable and continues to benefit the community in the long term.
Share some of the key partners or stakeholders engaged in your solution development and implementation.
As mentioned before our primary key partners are all level Boras community members, making more emphasis in women, youth and children. Teachers and community leaders play an important role in the sustainability of the project. Social NGOs, like “Instituto del bien común” (IBC), government authorities, and conservation NGOs (i.e WWF, WCS, San Diego Zoo) will be invited to participate with their expertise to enrich the process. Our work in the Loreto region has always been closely coordinated with authorities at the provincial, national and regional levels. We work in close collaboration with entities such as the Environmental Ministry, Forest Service, Wildlife Management Office of the Loreto Regional Government, and Prosecutors' office in environmental matters. Our goal is to bring together authorities and institutions that work towards wildlife conservation along with the indigenous peoples. We will seek the support of key institutions such as Naturaleza y Cultura Internacional (NCI), who currently work with other artisans in the Loreto region, as they can play a crucial role in supporting this initiative. In addition to our work with authorities and institutions, we are also engaging with community leaders to ensure their active participation and ownership of the proposed solution.
Who adopted the desired behavior(s) and to what degree? Include an explanation of how you measured a change in behavior.
The target population are the Boras from the Momon River (around 90 people). The specific audience are the children from 8 to 12 years old and youth up to 21 years old as well as women artisans and teachers. We will carry on pre and post intervention surveys using the Likert Scale for statistical analysis. This will allow us to monitor the initial perceptions, changes, and final perceptions that influence harmful behaviors toward felids. As well as the collection of negative and positive statements from the participants throughout all the implementation. We will pilot the conservation behavior assessments observing and recording the behavior of the participants to assess their engagement in the wildcats protection activities. Finally, we will take into account indirect measures to evaluate the effectiveness of the program. For example, tracking changes in the number of amount of new wildcats handicrafts, the number of wildcats related crimes reported by the boras.
How did you impact the environment (biodiversity conservation, ecosystems, etc.)? Please be specific and include measurement methodology where relevant.
We will contribute to the conservation of wildcats and their habitats. Through specific activities, we aim to positively impact biodiversity. Our education program aimed at children and youth is intended to create stewardship on felids and to raise awareness about their importance in the ecosystem, promoting environmentally-friendly attitudes and behaviors in the future. By providing the Boras community with an alternative source of income that is not dependent on the illegal wildlife trade, we hope to reduce the hunting and killing of jaguars and other felids in the region. Finally, promoting the Boras community as a jaguar flag-bearer and a tourist destination may contribute to the development of sustainable tourism practices that promote the conservation of natural resources and ecosystems. By implementing these measures, we can achieve a sustainable future for both wild cats and the Boras community, while also promoting environmental conservation and responsible tourism practices.
How has your solution impacted equity challenges (including race, ethnicity, social class/income, indigenous communities, or others)?
Our solution aims to empower the Boras Indigenous communities living along the Momon river by providing a comprehensive approach that considers the needs and perspectives of all community members, regardless of gender. We will implement gender-inclusive actions that target both children and adults, with a specific focus on building the capacity of women artisans in handicraft manufacturing. This will help promote income equity and create opportunities for women to participate more actively in the economic development of their community. Additionally, we will ensure a representative number of girls participate in our Jaguar School and Jaguar biomonitoring programs. By including and empowering all members of the community, we can create a sustainable future for the Boras while promoting gender equity and social inclusion.
What were some sustainable development co-benefits?
Artisans can use natural materials and traditional techniques to create products that highlight the value of natural resources, biodiversity, and promote sustainable development. This also safeguards cultural heritage and reduces reliance on illegal wildlife trade. The Jaguar School and Biomonitors programme aim to raise awareness among children and youth about conservation and sustainable development, promoting stewardship and understanding of these concepts for the future.
Sustainability: Describe the economic sustainability of your solution.
Economic sustainability wills start by providing local artisans with skills to create sustainable crafts from locally sourced materials. This can boost the community's tourism offerings, creating income and employment opportunities without relying on external financial support. With the educational program, we aim to change negative perceptions towards felids, reducing environmentally harmful behaviors. This comprehensive approach can empower the Boras to create a sustainable future for themselves and their environment and to create a safer environment by reducing illegal activities. By promoting economic self-sufficiency and environmental awareness, the community can achieve long-term sustainability and reduce reliance on external aid.
Return on investment: How much did it cost to implement these activities? How do your results above compare to this investment?
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How could we successfully replicate this solution in Latin America?
This approach has been successfully implemented in Colombia and South Africa, but it will need to be adapted to the Peruvian Amazon context. In order to ensure further ownership and maintenance, it is crucial to engage community members, including the chief and teachers. Additionally, many of the interventions can be adapted and combined with other ideas for different contexts. For example, training in handicrafts could be a viable alternative to the trade of wildlife parts and products in artisan markets like "Anaconda Market" in Iquitos. However, some components, such as children's education, may not be relevant to this specific case, and instead, a law enforcement component could be more effective when combined with alternative livelihoods. As far as we know, this approach has not yet been implemented in Loreto.
Wilayah Peru Berlaku
Jelaskan bagaimana solusi teknis menangani perdagangan satwa liar di Amazon Peru.
The illegal trade of jaguar and other felid parts is a big issue in Loreto, where the activity is normalized, and the authorities are reluctant to intervene fearing conflict with the community. Environmental education targeting the Boras can provide knowledge on the ecological significance of wildlife and the negative impact of trafficking on ecosystems and communities. Education can foster a sense of responsibility for wildlife protection, crucial for maintaining the Peruvian Amazon's ecological and cultural heritage. We plan to reduce the offer of felid parts by promoting fewer/alternative products and informing visitors about the illegality of buying original body parts, helping to reduce the trade of felid parts in Boras and in Loreto. We aim to engage the Boras community and create a groundswell of advocacy for wildlife protection, building awareness and engaging the community, hoping to generate political will and support for stronger laws and policies to safeguard wildlife.
Jelaskan keberlanjutan dan skalabilitas solusi teknis Anda
The project will involve the Boras' culture and knowledge, making it relevant to their values and beliefs to educate in wildlife protection. Teachers will help spread the educational activities. We will prioritize local materials such as coconut fibers for alternative handicrafts. Successful outcomes from this project can be replicated and applied to other communities and regions facing similar issues with wildlife trafficking and the need for sustainable economic development.
Jika ada, jelaskan tingkat kemajuan solusi
We are currently implementing an innovative and highly collaborative approach to countering wildlife crime, centered on Tactical & Tasking Coordination Groups (TTCG) where decision-makers from key stakeholders collaboratively prioritise interventions following a detailed analysis of threats. This structure provides stakeholders with a mechanism for joint operational decision-making and allows them to collaborate and prioritise the deployment of resources. The efforts described in this project will be considered in the TTCG to ensure interventions are aligned and no one activity is implemented in a silo.
Apa sumber pendanaan tambahan untuk solusi?
We will contribute of 23,145 USD divided into three components: i) Technical personnel: Geographic Information Systems expert (GIS) to support the analysis of spatial information, dedication of 20%. Communication Specialist to support the design of dissemination materials, dedication of 30%. Education specialist to support the capacity-building activities and the re-design of training materials according to the context, dedication of 30%. IDS specialist to support the training on wildlife monitoring and follow up on the participatory monitoring, dedication of 20%. ii) Finance and administrative support: Expert in project finance administration to ensure compliance with USAID and Panthera standards, also for financial monitoring, audit, and reporting. Other administrative expenses related to the Panthera´s operation to implement the solution. iii) Equipment and materials: Panthera will provide camera tramps, GPS, and other materials related to the monitoring component.
Biaya Solusi Inovatif
Social sciences Consultants: 6,000 USD to guide in the approach to indigenous communities; Transport and logistics: 16,200 USD team expenses for follow-up and evaluation; Equipment and materials, 23,300 USD, for the dissemination activities, the handicrafts initiatives, and the equipment to support wildlife monitoring; Capacity building activities, 43,000 USD consists of education activities. wildlife monitoring, training, and evaluation. Workshops in handicraft and business initiatives with experts, also, seminars for knowledge and cultural exchanges, and the final event for the presentation of results; Administrative costs, 11,500 USD for the expenses related to the general operation of the solution according to Panthera´s policies (13%).