So Erin wrote about a bit of serendipity in finding out about the Mountain View conservation & breeding centre in Fort Langley.
To take that particular serendipity a little further… read their page on the Painted Dog Program:
The Painted Dog Conservancy employs local people to carry out anti-poaching efforts. Over the past several years, the Anti-Poaching Team has been extremely successful in reducing the mortality rate of the African Pointed Dog by collecting the snare wire in the conservancy. Once the wire was gathered, however, there was the issue of successfully disposing of the wire. The PDC developed an arts and craft centre in a nearby town called Dete. The Iganyana Arts Centre has developed local artisans to create beautiful intricate art from the snare wire. This serves two purposes. It removes the wire from the country so it doesn’t make its way back into the park and it provides income to the artisans and the local town from sales abroad. The transformation to the town of Dete has been significant. This small town was fading fast but thanks to the Iganyana Arts Centre it is thriving once again. Mountain View Gift Shop is one of the locations that carries snare art from Iguanyana for sale to our supportors and visitors.
Yeah. I helped collect some of that snare wire. I purchased gifts from the shop they mention. I was living in Dete. We even went to see the kids bush camp facilities. I was at the new conservation centre the day it opened.
You want serendipity? Now THERE’S some serendipity. It’s a little bit of my African trip… about 15 minutes away from where I grew up.
That’s Angela — one of the resident painted dogs at the rehabilitation center in Dete. I am completely blown away that this organization who has helped THIS DOG SPECIFICALLY (and more!) exists so close to home.
Sometimes I’m not sure I believe in coincidences. I mean, how likely is it that I would discover this organization only 4 months after visiting the Zim center? I don’t necessarily believe in signs either, but … I’m thinking I should definitely volunteer there.
(See more of what I wrote about visiting the conservation center here and here.)
and the marmots! don’t forget the loverly Vancouver Island Marmot hot humping action pad they have, which helps bring adorable new marmots into the world.
You definitely need to volunteer here. If I wasn’t doing insane school + work I’d be there too.
When I saw the marmots, I immediately thought of Jen.
It’s $30 to become a member, which means tours, and discounts at the gift shop. I’m going to become one (since I can’t volunteer until after August). Wanna do it with me?
I’m actually going to volunteer before that, methinks. I’m so impressed with this. Hell, I’ve already started filling out the app — with the pen that I bought at the Iganyana Arts Centre in Dete that is carved into a painted dog… :D (I didn’t even realize what pen I’d grabbed until halfway through the app!)
Never thought to mention Mountain View to you – I was there just after they first opened to public about 5 or 6 years ago; we took the kids to see the animals there, met zoo keeper who used to work there (he expressed some concerns about Mountain View’s operations, and had chosen to apply for work with the zoo in Singapore – which he got).
I would be interested in hearing what concerns he had, if you felt comfortable enough share, Ivan.
me too!
Erin check with Donna.
Hi,
Just read your piece about the Painted Dog Conservation project. I was there for 6 weeks this summer and arrived on the opening day of the new Visitor Center. Maybe we met? I’m a wildlife artist and my trip was funded by Artists For Conservation. Now I’m putting together a traveling exhibition to raise funds for the project.
How long did you live in Dete?
Alison
Hi Alison! I don’t think we met anyone other than the employees when we were there — we came a bit later in the day.
I was with African Impact, from Miombo Lodge, and was there the entire month of September. :)
I was there for September too. I bet we drove past each other in the park at some point!
Sounds like you had a good time. Thanks for posting your news.
Alison
Alison, that’s awesome. I bet we did. :)
If you’re interested in how my trip went, you can see my (incomplete) travelogue here:
http://lifetheuniverseanddonna.ca/index.php/travelogue-index/