Beads for Wildlife

Visitors to Taronga Western Plains Zoo have made a difference for the elephants, giraffe and endangered African Wild Dogs of Northern Kenya, simply by buying stunning beaded giftware from our Beads for Wildlife campaign. Taronga has sold over 8,000 traditional Kenyan beadwork gifts made by more than 800 women from communities across Northern Kenya.As well as providing an alternative income to support these communities and lessen their reliance on environmentally damaging livestock, the bead sales help Taronga to support 21 Conservancy Rangers who patrol the Biliqo Bulesa Conservancy. The Rangers work to monitor wildlife and protect against the threat of poachers. In the past year, the Rangers have helped animals like Wild Dogs to return to the region and halved the number of elephants poached within and near the conservancy.The conservancy is home to many amazing species including endangered Grevys Zebra, Lions, Oryx and Gerenuk. Learn more about the campaign and the work of the Rangers below:Beads for Wildlife Buy stunning traditional beadwork made by women in remote Kenyan communities. These communities rely on livestock to survive, but this livestock competes with local wildlife like giraffe and zebra for food and water. The beads provide an alternative income. More beads = less livestock = more wildlife! Read more here.