La Conservación de la Biodiversidad Versus la Realidad de las Unidades de Manejo de Fauna Silvestre del Ecuador

Abstract

Zoos number over 10,000 worldwide and are visited by millions of people each year. Their primary focus remains on exhibition and recreation, with limited knowledge about their specific roles in wildlife management and the crucial role of environmental education in biodiversity conservation. This research aimed to assess the current state of Environmental Education in wildlife management units in Ecuador. It was conducted from 2017 to 2020 using a qualitative-quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional, descriptive, bibliographic, and documentary approach. Information interviews and surveys were used, with the sample size determined from the records provided by the Ministry of the Environment (MATE). Participants included owners, administrators, and supervisors of 49 out of the 75 registered centers in that year. Cross-tabulated tables and complex data graphs were created. The findings revealed that zoos are positioned as centers for wildlife protection, conservation, education, and research, with a focus on recreation. Other units have limited involvement in environmental education, indicating the need for more work to establish secure habitats for species, respect their rights, and raise awareness among visitors about the importance of preserving habitats, territories, and wild species' living areas without human intervention through educational activities and programs.