Wildlife Act threatens lucrative eggshell industry

Speaking during the pricing and quality control workshop held at Maun Lodge, a representative of Souvenirs of Kalahari, Bulanda Thamae, from West Hanahai said a number of women who engage in beadwork are faced with the shortage of ostrich eggshells.  She said this was due to restrictions under the Wildlife Act banning crafters from harvesting the shells from the wild and wildlife parks.

She said the beadwork sector has also been adversely affected by the collapse of the ostrich farming in Botswana, which used to supply the jewellers with the shells. She revealed that the only existing ostrich farm in Botswana at Dibete, which is owned by the government, couldn't adequately supply all the demanded ostrich eggshells. She said the farm also prohibits selling broken shells, citing disease control reasons.