Abstract
Cultural beliefs based on Timor-Leste´s creation myth “Lafaek Diak–The Good Crocodile” are anchored in the East Timorese traditional belief system lulik and involve worship of the widely distributed, but dangerous, saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus). The wild saltwater crocodile population and rate of fatal attacks on people are both increasing due to conservation action. More innovative management is needed to reduce the frequency of attacks, but reverence for crocodiles constrains the management options available. We used semi-structured interviews with Timorese stakeholders (25 local authorities, 10 national experts, 15 citizens) to understand the cultural beliefs and traditional ecological knowledge underlying human-crocodile interactions, and conflict (HCC) in Timor-Leste. Interviewees knew this species was a risk (respect, fear) and its population was expanding, and had culturally determined beliefs (ceremonies, rituals) that included differentiating between local “ancestor” crocodiles and invasive “troublemakers.” Cost-effective management could integrate stakeholder groups, especially traditional elders and local knowledge holders.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 314-331 |
| Number of pages | 18 |
| Journal | Human Dimensions of Wildlife |
| Volume | 24 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| Early online date | 20 May 2019 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jul 2019 |
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Crocodile management in Timor-Leste : Drawing upon traditional ecological knowledge and cultural beliefs. / Brackhane, Sebastian; Webb, Grahame; Xavier, Flaminio M.E.; Trindade, Josh; Gusmao, Marcal; Pechacek, Peter.
In: Human Dimensions of Wildlife, Vol. 24, No. 4, 07.2019, p. 314-331.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
TY - JOUR
T1 - Crocodile management in Timor-Leste
T2 - Drawing upon traditional ecological knowledge and cultural beliefs
AU - Brackhane, Sebastian
AU - Webb, Grahame
AU - Xavier, Flaminio M.E.
AU - Trindade, Josh
AU - Gusmao, Marcal
AU - Pechacek, Peter
PY - 2019/7
Y1 - 2019/7
N2 - Cultural beliefs based on Timor-Leste´s creation myth “Lafaek Diak–The Good Crocodile” are anchored in the East Timorese traditional belief system lulik and involve worship of the widely distributed, but dangerous, saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus). The wild saltwater crocodile population and rate of fatal attacks on people are both increasing due to conservation action. More innovative management is needed to reduce the frequency of attacks, but reverence for crocodiles constrains the management options available. We used semi-structured interviews with Timorese stakeholders (25 local authorities, 10 national experts, 15 citizens) to understand the cultural beliefs and traditional ecological knowledge underlying human-crocodile interactions, and conflict (HCC) in Timor-Leste. Interviewees knew this species was a risk (respect, fear) and its population was expanding, and had culturally determined beliefs (ceremonies, rituals) that included differentiating between local “ancestor” crocodiles and invasive “troublemakers.” Cost-effective management could integrate stakeholder groups, especially traditional elders and local knowledge holders.
AB - Cultural beliefs based on Timor-Leste´s creation myth “Lafaek Diak–The Good Crocodile” are anchored in the East Timorese traditional belief system lulik and involve worship of the widely distributed, but dangerous, saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus). The wild saltwater crocodile population and rate of fatal attacks on people are both increasing due to conservation action. More innovative management is needed to reduce the frequency of attacks, but reverence for crocodiles constrains the management options available. We used semi-structured interviews with Timorese stakeholders (25 local authorities, 10 national experts, 15 citizens) to understand the cultural beliefs and traditional ecological knowledge underlying human-crocodile interactions, and conflict (HCC) in Timor-Leste. Interviewees knew this species was a risk (respect, fear) and its population was expanding, and had culturally determined beliefs (ceremonies, rituals) that included differentiating between local “ancestor” crocodiles and invasive “troublemakers.” Cost-effective management could integrate stakeholder groups, especially traditional elders and local knowledge holders.
KW - Cultural beliefs
KW - human-crocodile conflict
KW - rural communities
KW - saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus)
KW - Timor-Leste
KW - traditional ecological knowledge
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85066109633&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/10871209.2019.1614240
DO - 10.1080/10871209.2019.1614240
M3 - Article
VL - 24
SP - 314
EP - 331
JO - Human Dimensions of Wildlife
JF - Human Dimensions of Wildlife
SN - 1087-1209
IS - 4
ER -