Ethnozoological study in a tropical wildlife sanctuary of Eturunagaram in the Warangal district, Andhra Pradesh

The ethnozoological practices using different animal products and their derivatives as medicine by the Koya and Guthikoya tribes in the Eturunagaram wild life sanctuary has been discussed. The study elucidates the use of 23 animals, which are described as folk medicine by the local tribal community. A field survey was conducted through interviews with a structured questionnaire revealed use of 23 species for the curing of various diseases. The zootherapeutic knowledge inherited since time immemorial was mostly based on the use of domestic animals and wild animals as important medicinal resources. It is suggested that this kind of knowledge may be useful to save the life in emergency. The study also gives emphasis on the strategies of conservation and management of faunistic resources. The ethnozoological practice indicates that traditional knowledge of zootherapy is a must and to be strengthened in order to discover the new line of resources in pharmaceutics.