Wire snares are set by poachers in the African bush to capture prey species for the illegal bushmeat trade. Wire snares are indiscriminate and are just as likely to kill endangered animals, such as painted dogs, as they are the target species. Indigenous artisans transform the wire that could be used for snares into works of art. The sale of these wire art pieces helps protect animals in the wild by supporting conservation research. They also provide a livelihood for indigenous people in local communities within the regions where painted dogs live.