INTEGRATING KNOWLEDGE: THE POTENTIAL OF AWAJÚN AND WAMPÍS TRADITIONAL ECOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE IN WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT IN THE TUNTANAIN COMMUNAL RESERVE

This research documents the traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) related to wildlife hunting practices among the Awajún and Wampís peoples in the Tuntanain Communal Reserve (RCT), and analyzes its potential application in the management of this protected natural area. Based on group meetings with specialized hunters from the Administrative Contract Executor (ECA-RCT), information was gathered regarding local practices, regulations, and perceptions linked to fauna. The recorded TEK encompasses detailed knowledge of the biology, ethology, and ecology of game species, as well as spiritual and cultural dimensions that guide the sustainable use of resources. These insights include the identification of key sites, customary hunting regulations, and the oral transmission of norms through myths and traditional stories. The findings demonstrate that TEK constitutes a valuable input for wildlife management in the RCT by offering contextualized and socially legitimized information. It is concluded that its integration with scientific knowledge can strengthen co-management, improve the effectiveness of conservation strategies, and promote intercultural territorial governance. To this end, it is recommended to organize and systematize this knowledge, formalize customary norms into community instruments compatible with state regulations, and foster participatory processes that recognize Indigenous peoples as central actors in decision-making.