Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London
Doi
Abstract
The investigation of predator-prey interactions has a long history in ecology, but most studies
have focused on the lethal effects of non-human predators. Population declines of prey
species because of human hunting are well documented, and much effort has been dedicated
to quantify hunting sustainability. However, non-lethal effects of human hunting may also
impact hunted species. This thesis aims to integrate methodologies from various disciplines to
study the behaviour of Waorani hunters in Amazonian Ecuador, and the behaviour of one of
their primary prey groups, primates.
In conservation biology, various assumptions are made about hunter spatial behaviour, such as
the use of uniform circular areas around communities for resource extraction. This research
demonstrates that these assumptions are not valid in the study system, and develops an
alternate method for determining hunting pressure. Methods from animal behaviour are used
to describe the spatial distribution of hunters and non-hunters. Interviews are also used to
investigate perceptions of prey animals by the Waorani, with a particular focus on the role of
primates. Primate behaviour is investigated in the context of non-lethal effects of human
hunting. Changes in short and long term behavioural patterns are demonstrated using
experiments with Poeppigi’s woolly monkeys (Lagothrix poeppigii) and observations of red titi
monkeys (Callicebus discolor). Key differences in behaviour were found between groups with
and without recent exposure to human hunters. These differences suggest human hunting of
primates has additional non-lethal effects which should be considered when assessing hunting
sustainability.
Behaviour is recognised as an important component of human-environment interactions, yet
the behaviour of humans and the animals they interact with is often overlooked. This thesis
investigates behavioural interactions by focusing on individuals and groups on a small
geographic and temporal scale, quantifying these interactions in the context of human
hunting, and considering their implications for conservation
