07
MONGOOSE
The Snare Wire Jewellery
Mulberry Mongoose is a Zambian accessory business
that is both locally conscious and globally ambitious.
Our artisans hand craft jewellery and accessories with
indigenous materials, handmade beads, and iconic
artifacts, interlaced with internationally sourced metals and gemstones.
The micro-enterprise is composed of previously unemployed women who now have the opportunity to generate their own income, while developing their artistic
skills and talents.
Our artisans’ studio is based in the heart of the South
Luangwa, a national park and protected area famed
for the density and abundance of iconic yet threatened wildlife.
Through our studio windows, we observe passing elephant herds, endemic giraffe, and many other species
of mammals, including our mongoose namesake. Living and working in the midst of wildlife, we are continuously inspired by our natural surroundings and are
attentive to environmental concerns.
As such, we partner with two local conservation nonprofits: the South Luangwa Conservation Society
(SLCS) and Zambian Carnivore Programme (ZCP). Both
organizations address the immediate needs of wildlife
conservation by funding and conducting anti-poaching
operations. Today, the quietest and most popular
poaching tool is snare wire, which indiscriminately
mangles and kills any animal that steps into the snare
trap. Conservation patrols are deployed regularly to
confiscate snare wire, which they subsequently donate
to Mulberry Mongoose. Our artisans in turn re-shape
and incorporate the potentially fatal wire into intricate
jewellery designs: the Snare Wire Jewellery Collection.
We internationally market the Snare jewellery and
allot $5 per sale of each piece to SLCS and ZCP. Proceeds from the collection have raised thousands of
dollars for the crusade against the illegal and brutal
killing of endangered wildlife in Zambia.
In under three years Mulberry Mongoose have sold
over 7000 pieces of snare wire jewellery to clients
worldwide.
Bill, Hilary and Chelsea Clinton have all adorned Mulberry Mongoose snare bracelets at The 2014 Clinton
Global Initiative. Leonardo Di Caprio, Sting and Richard
Branson have also proudly worn snare bracelets and
supported global conservation efforts.
www.mulberrymongoose.com