The Romanian Philatelic issue "Hunting", Appeared in 1956

Because Romania is placing an increasing emphasis on biodiversity conservation, it is appropriate to bring into discussion a series of aspects that alter the idea of conservation. One of the activities in question is hunting. Therefore, continuing the extensive project to promote protected natural heritage and biodiversity, we decided to focus this time on the hunting act and its pure artistic interpretations, introducing the idea of hunting associated with philately. In this sense, the first topic addressed is the first issue of Romanian postage stamps dedicated exclusively to hunting, which appeared at the beginning of 1956. Since then and until now, at the beginning of 2021, philately has been constantly enriched with issues between the most interesting and unique at the same time. The aim of this paper is to make known to the public and to promote nationally and internationally the term sustainable hunting, as an alarm signal for the deplorable state in which game species are treated, some of which even reach endangered. The results of the research undertaken emphasize the mass character of thematic philately and the fundamental role - as an ambassador of knowledge promotion - that it has had over time. Regarding the first philatelic issue that addresses this issue, we can say that it was a welcome one among the collectors of philatelic effects, as well as among those who used the postal service of the time. At the same time, from the large mass of pieces identified as belonging to the issue in question, the key findings are that the hunt was fully felt and known, at least locally and regionally, through the philatelic circulations exposed.

The socio-cultural significance of mineral licks to the Maijuna of the Peruvian Amazon: implications for the sustainable management of hunting

Background The overhunting of wild species is a major threat to biodiversity in the Amazon; yet, managed, sustainable hunting is widely considered part of the solution to conserving wildlife populations. Hunting is both a culturally important activity for Indigenous people and provides an important food source. Mineral licks, a focal point of hunting in Amazonia, are naturally occurring areas in the forest where animals come to obtain essential minerals or clays that are thought to neutralize plant-based alkaloids. We sought to better understand the socio-cultural importance of mineral licks to the Maijuna Indigenous group to inform the sustainable management of this habitat and associated wildlife populations. Methods Semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and participatory mapping were carried out with hunters to assess the significance of mineral licks and their associated animal resources as well as to determine how the relationship that the Maijuna have with mineral licks has changed over time. Results Mineral licks are culturally significant and useful to the Maijuna in a variety of ways. Hunters target these areas year-round both during the day and night, and animals killed are consumed for subsistence and sold to generate income. The spatial use of mineral licks across the landscape is determined on the generational family level, with families maintaining exclusive use of selected mineral licks and excluding access by other hunters. The Maijuna also have traditional beliefs for why animals visit mineral licks, which is linked to the traditional Maijuna story of the creation of the first tapir. The relationship that the Maijuna have with mineral licks has changed considerably over time, which is observed through changes in hunting technologies and methods as well as the loss of traditional knowledge and beliefs. Conclusions Traditional and current Maijuna hunting conventions, in which families maintain exclusive use of selected mineral licks, likely reduce the probability of overexploitation of animal populations. Community-based management plans for mineral licks in Maijuna lands and beyond must incorporate and account for the multiple cultural and economic needs of local communities while also striving toward ecological sustainability. Country-wide strategies to conserving forests and using them sustainably should aim to ensure land tenure for rural peoples and encourage management that incorporates traditional sustainable hunting conventions.