DENVER ZOO:
WOMEN'S COOPERATIVE IN PUNO
LIVING IN PERU, Dina Baker. April
20, 2017
Local women’s collective and Denver Zoo band together to
work on conservation efforts at Lake Titicaca.
Lake Titicaca is facing many conservation threats to its
water quality and native species of wildlife. Pollution, littering, and
contamination of the water from local mining operations are a few of the contributors. The
Lake Titicaca Frog (Telmatobius culeus) is facing these threats in addition to
being poached from their habitats. The frogs are taken to be sold in
markets in Puno and Lima to be blended into “frog shakes”. These shakes are
said to have medicinal properties, though none have been proven scientifically.
These are the conservation issues that have drawn Denver Zoo
to Lake Titicaca. The
organization has a team of conservationist and educators and have been working
with scientists in the area for years to try and save the frogs. There
is now an additional focus on the quality of the water, which is a concern for
all wildlife and humans alike. However, conservation efforts, especially those
of this magnitude, cannot be realized without the support, engagement, and
participation of the local communities.
Local women of Puno and surrounding communities have come
together to form Ccori Ampara (Hands of Gold), a women’s collective created by
the women themselves, who make handicrafts, or artesanía, many with frog themes
to help raise awareness for the frogs. Denver Zoo acts as a mentor for
Ccori Ampara and helps support and guide the women in their business ventures. They
are becoming empowered to learn new skills, educate themselves and others, as
well as earn income to help support their families.
“My name is Eudocia Mamani and I live in the Community of
San Jose de Pucani.
Thanks to the Denver Zoo frog project, it has taught us to care for the frog
and we want to learn more.”
The women of Ccori Ampara come together from various
communities around the lake, including Puno, to learn how to knit and create
handicrafts to sell at fairs and markets in Puno. The women’s handmade
products are also making their way across the globe to be sold in Denver Zoo’s
gift shop. This partnership allows Denver Zoo visitors to learn about
Ccori Ampara, purchase handmade goods from Peru, and learn about the
conservation efforts for the Lake Titicaca Frog. Ccori Ampara’s products include purses, hats, gloves, keychains and
finger puppets, to name a few. They offer products such as hats and
knitted children’s toys that depict Lake Titicaca Frogs, which are always a big
hit with customers.
Ccori Ampara gains new members to the group every year and
hold frequent trainings and workshops to teach each other new skills, designs
in knitting, as well as learning about the frogs. Many of these women
travel long distances from around the lake to come to Puno and participate in
the collective.
The women of Ccori Ampara have learned about the history,
the importance of and threats to the frogs and are now working to help educate
others who live near and visit the lake. Most importantly, they are
ambassadors for the conservation of the Lake Titicaca Frogs. Ccori
Ampara’s ever-growing partnership with Denver Zoo allows for conservation
messaging to be spread throughout the Puno region while also supplying the
local fairs and markets with well-made and enjoyable handicrafts. With
local support from groups such as Ccori Ampara, a better future for Lake
Titicaca, its frogs, and its residents is on the horizon.
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Dina Baker works at the Denver Zoo as
an Outreach Specialist. She visits schools and community centers around
Colorado and Wyoming and educates students and adults of all ages about
animals, habitats, and conservation. She brings animals with her to help facilitate
learning and connect people to nature. Her favorite animals to work with are
birds of prey, and the tamandua, a lesser anteater that is native to Peru. She
is a Project Contributor for Denver Zoo’s Lake Titicaca Frog Project based in
Puno. She primarily acts as a liaison between the women’s collective and her
team, as well as translating documents and communication between Spanish and
English.