Protección de las tortugas charapa en el Parque Nacional Yasuní y sus alrededores.

Abstract

The charapa turtle (Podocnemis unifilis), an emblematic species of the Amazon, faces significant threats in Yasuní National Park, a biodiversity hotspot crucial for its conservation. This study focuses on identifying the threats affecting the species, analyzing management strategies and exploring the role of the community in its protection. A methodology based on a review of scientific literature, interviews with local stakeholders and analysis of data on the turtle population and its habitat was used. The results highlight that the main threats include intensive egg collection, hunting and habitat degradation due to human activities such as deforestation and oil exploitation. In addition, climate change aggravates the situation, altering reproductive cycles and the sex ratio of offspring. The conservation strategies implemented, such as nest relocation and community awareness-raising, have proven to be effective, although they face resource and coordination limitations. It is concluded that the active participation of indigenous communities and the integration of traditional knowledge with scientific approaches are essential for the sustainability of conservation efforts. These actions are fundamental not only to protect P. unifilis, but also to preserve the aquatic ecosystems of Yasuní.