Two Wapichan women maintaining traditional rock carvings at a spiritual site.
Stanford Report, February 5, 2013 - The introduction of Christianity has changed the hunting habits of indigenous people in the Amazon. While some new practices could benefit animals, others could put populations at risk. Religious missionaries have been transforming the belief systems of indigenous peoples deep within the Amazon since the 1700s, but the outsiders might be influencing more than just prayer. Research by Stanford biologists suggests that the introduction of Western religions is altering the biodiversity in the region. In some cases, tribal members acting on newly adopted religious beliefs may benefit animal populations in ways similar to conservation efforts. Other introduced behaviors, however, might be endangering animals once protected by indigenous practices. The finding comes from Jose Fragoso , a scientist at Stanford, and Jeffrey Luzar, a post-doctoral collaborator in Fragoso's group.
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