O. Eric Ramírez-Bravo

• Biodiversity Journal, 7 (1): 021-024

  O. Eric Ramírez-Bravo
  Does local knowledge change after a species long term absence? The case of giant river otters Pteronura brasiliensis Gmelin, 1788 (Carnivora Mustelidae)

  ABSTRACT
  Public participation could be useful to determine species presence and ecological aspects, however it is possible that local knowledge of species whose populations had suffered a decrease could have changed. To determine current knowledge of giant river otter, Pteronura brasiliensis Gmelin, 1788 (Carnivora Mustelidae), we undertook a preliminary assessment based on 35 interviews preformed between June and August 2014 with natural resources users in the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve (Peru) aimed to determine the presence, feeding habits, reproduction periods, and threats. It was possible to determine that current knowledge cor- respond with available information in literature thus, I consider that it is possible to use public participation in cases of little known species that are recovering.

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