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2/13/2018 // EAST LANSING, MICH – The Snares to Wares Initiative seeks to address the well-being of human communities bordering national parks in East Africa while simultaneously benefiting wildlife conservation. Through the initiative’s partnership with the Uganda Wildlife Authority they are decreasing the rate at which wildlife are going extinct through the removal of wire snares from national parks.
“While snaring presents considerable challenges for wildlife conservation, this is actually a human livelihood issue,” says Tutilo Mudumba, an MSU doctoral student who co-founded the initiative. “This is not a prosperous area of the country, and people set snares to catch antelope and other bush meat for food.”
Over 250 artisans are employed by this initiative in Pakwach, Uganda where they are turning recovered snares into pieces of art to be sold. Two of the project’s leaders, Mutalib Ngomojik and Sophia Jingo, have come to Michigan State to present on the initiative and the effect it is having on the community and surrounding wildlife.
“I enjoy this craft,” says Mutalib Ngomojik, lead artisan. “I’ve taught people in the community, mostly youth, to learn a craft and make a living without having to risk their lives poaching. Instead of using the wires for poaching, we are using them to make art.”
The open house event will be on February 18th from 2-5pm in the Broad Art Museum's education wing. At this event, visitors will be able to create their own small wire sculptures while Mutalib and Sophia demonstrate their craft and create sculptures from reclaimed wires. Guests will be able to ask the artists about their life and work in Uganda and ask members of the research team about the initiative and its positive impact on wildlife.
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About Snares to Wares
The Snares to Wares Initiative benefits human well-being by providing employment and enrichment opportunities through training community members in skills necessary to become an artisan. Read more at https://www.recaplaboratory.com/snares-to-wares.html.