Traditional ecological knowledge and symbolic perceptions of wildlife: implications for conservation in urban and rural areas of the Colombian Andes

Popular beliefs and symbolic interpretations associated with wildlife can significantly influence human attitudes toward species conservation, especially in culturally diverse contexts such as the Colombian Andes. This study analyzed perceptions and beliefs concerning 19 vertebrate species (amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals) in the department of Cundinamarca, Colombia, through structured surveys administered to 816 including both rural inhabitants and urban residents of varying age ranges, genders, religions, educational levels, and localities. A mixed quantitative and qualitative approach was used to identify both general patterns and specific cultural narratives. The results revealed that age range was the primary sociodemographic variable associated with significant differences in the perception of omens. While the perception patterns remained similar across young adults, adults, and older adults – with owls, snakes, and hummingbirds consistently ranking highest for omens – adolescents showed a distinct trend, with bats and toads having the highest average values. In contrast, locality, gender, religion, and educational level showed no statistically significant effects. Species such as snakes, bats, and owls were predominantly linked to negative beliefs, while the hummingbird and deer were associated with positive perceptions. These findings underscore the need to integrate cultural knowledge and local beliefs into conservation strategies, environmental education, and public policy.