Beads for Wildlife

Buy beads, save wildlife

Many African animals face threats like habitat loss and poaching. When you purchase Beads for Wildlife products, you’re helping support Kenyan women to build sustainable, wildlife-friendly incomes and reduce pressure on wildlife and natural resources. Together, we can protect both communities and the animals they live alongside.

Buy beads, save wildlife

The problem

Let's breakdown why and how African wildlife can be affected. Scroll across and tap the icon at the bottom of each image to learn all about it.

Communities farm to provide income.

They rely on livestock grazing and charcoal burning practices.

Farmland encroaches on wildlife habitat.

These practices damage animal habitat.

Human/wildlife conflict arises.

Communities move closer toward wild habitats.

Wild populations decline.

This drives the decline of Kenya’s iconic wildlife.

Wildlife affected

The solution

A wildlife-friendly source of income.

Scroll through and tap the icon below each image to understand how.

Beading is a traditional Kenyan artform.

Communities create income through beading.

This means less reliance on farmland and livestock.

It allows them to maintain their semi-nomadic lifestyles.

This reduces habitat destruction and wildlife conflict.

Helping to protect wildlife for the future.

All while building a better life for these women, their families and communities.

What you can do

Buy beads at our Zoos
You can find them in our Zoo shops in Sydney and Dubbo.
Buy online
You can buy beads online at our Zoo Shop.
Spread the word!
Tell your friends and family about these meaningful gifts.

Your impact

133,000

More than 133,000 beads have been sold at Taronga since 2012

1,200

beaders have been supported

7,800

community members with access to medical and educational resources

133,000

More than 133,000 beads have been sold at Taronga since 2012

1,200

beaders have been supported

7,800

community members with access to medical and educational resources

Creators of hope

Nkiliyian

Nkiliyian is from Westgate Conservancy in Northern Kenya and is a “Star Beader,” leading a group of 60 women. She has been beading for 19 years. Inspired by stories her grandmother told about zebra, giraffe and lions roaming the landscape, Nkiliyian now brings these savannah animals to life through her beadwork. The wildlife she grew up loving now helps support her family, and her community feels a strong responsibility to protect the animals that share their land.

Ntashawua

Nine-year-old Ntashawua lives in Maendeleo Village in Kenya with her parents, sister and two brothers. Ntashawua’s father, Geoffrey, works as a conservancy ranger, protecting both grazing goats and the wildlife that call the savannah home, while her mother, Nkiliyian, is a skilled beader whose work helps provide food, shoes and school uniforms so Ntashawua and her siblings can attend school.

Geoffrey

Geoffrey Lokorukoru is a ranger with Westgate Conservancy, part of the Northern Rangelands Trust in Northern Kenya. Each day begins early as Geoffrey and his team patrol assigned areas to ensure the safety of people, livestock and wildlife. During these patrols they record wildlife sightings and track animals by reading footprints along riverbeds, paths and bushland, identifying species such as lions, giraffe and zebra and noting whether animals are healthy or injured.

Regina

From the Sera Community Conservancy, and born deaf, she had limited opportunities for employment. She relies on her sister to communicate through sign language. Despite her disability, she is one of the fastest and most skilled beaders. Beadworks have given her independence, skills and a source of income.

Nawamiss

From Koya Melako Conservancy – she never went to school, spent her childhood herding animals, and was married as teenager. Her mother-in-law introduced her to beading, and by age 20 she became a Star Beader leading team of women. She is now a mother and beadworks gives her hope for her daughter and other young girls.