An ethnozoological survey of medicinal animals commercialized in the markets of Campina Grande, NE Brazil

Numbers of animal species are commercialized by herbalists in markets throughout Brazil. Nevertheless, there is a general lack of information about this type of trade in the country. This study aimed to obtain information on the trade of animals for medicinal purposes in the city of Campina Grande, Paraiba State. Data were obtained through semi-structured questionnaires applied to traders of medicinal animals. The trade of medicinal animals includes 32 species, which are extracted for zootherapeutic products recommended for the treatment of 25 illnesses. Interviewees described the existence of a multi-state trade network of medicinal animals. Some of the traded animals are listed in the Brazilian list of threatened species, and this shows the urgent need to consider zootherapy in the context of biodiversity conservation in Brazil. Our results reveal the importance of zootherapy as a therapeutic alternative and demonstrate the need for further studies on the subject.