The Sequoia Park Zoo Gift Shop is currently offering six different types of animal wall ornaments and eight different types of standing animal sculptures created by members of the Painted Dog Conservatory.
In an effort to counter rampant poaching in Zimbabwe, members of the conservatory venture into the bush and retrieve wire used by poachers to trap and kill animals unfortunate enough to step into the snares.
Once the snares have been collected, villagers at the Iganyana Arts and Crafts Center weave the wire into intricate shapes depicting the animals of the area, including gemsbok, elephants, giraffe, rhinos, warthogs, sable and wild dogs.
Proceeds from the sale of these snare wire art pieces are used to educate the people of Zimbabwe about how they can benefit from wildlife conservation and to support anti-poaching programs. Prices range from $25 to $75 dollars.
The Sequoia Park Zoo Gift Shop is owned and operated by the Sequoia Park Zoo Foundation.
The Gift Shop is open during Zoo operating hours Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm
These really are unique works of art that you wont find anywhere else in the area, said foundation board member Donna Pace. Were ordering new items as fast as we can to keep enough product in stock. Its wonderful — theyre selling so fast!
Each unique piece of snare wire art brings beauty and the hope of a better understanding of how to preserve and cherish the wildlife of