Human use of Mazama in Latin America and the importance of protected areas: a systematic review of ethnozoological studies

This study investigated the use of Mazama by human groups in protected areas (PAs), Indigenous territories, and unprotected areas in Latin America. A systematic review yielded 89 articles, 29 of which focused on PAs and seven on Indigenous territories across nine countries. While food was the primary use category, followed by medicinal use inside PAs, the scenario slightly changed outside these territories: food remained in the first category, but the second most important use was Other use, which encompasses trade, animals kept as pets, and sports hunting. On Indigenous territories, we only found records of the use of M. americana and M. gouazoubira. Outside PAs, records of trade and pets were notably high, while craftsmanship dominated in PAs. M. americana appeared most frequently in studies, with the widest range of uses, while M. bricenii, M. jucunda, and M. chunyi were not mentioned. The use of Mazama species depends on perceived abundance and cultural factors, such as the preference for M. americana meat contrasted with the aversion to M. gouazoubira meat, considered dangerous. Hunting practices also reflect cultural significance. A key challenge for studies is the accurate identification of Mazama species, which is a critical aspect for future research.