Meet Bolivia’s Zebras

If you've been to downtown La Paz, or any city in Bolivia, and have seen a striped tail disappear around a corner or a zebra on two legs seemingly directing traffic, no it's not the altitude sickness playing havoc with your vision. Nor is it a case of zoo escapees on the loose. It is, in fact, an example of a public safety initiative designed to bring some level of order to the otherwise chaos and calamity that is La Paz traffic.

After a spate of traffic-induced child deaths in the 1990s and general concern about road safety, the local government hatched a plan in conjunction with community groups and members, most notably Kathia Salazar, (aka Mamá Cebra) to bring to life the zebra initiative. Launched in 2001, the objectives were to reduce accidents and educate pedestrians and motorists about how to use the zebra crossings safely in a fun and relatable way.

Zebras assist pedestrians both young and old.

But the best bit is, who are the zebras? Herein lies the best kind of double-edged sword. The zebras are young people that have come from vulnerable, disadvantaged backgrounds, perhaps involving substance abuse, violence or neglect. And for them, at the very least, becoming a zebra is a chance to forget, have fun and help others.

Each zebra is encouraged to have their own signature pose or dance move.

Eighteen years on, the initiative has been an incredible success (traffic accidents reduced and public safety increased) and the scope of the zebras has expanded to encompass educational and socio-cultural projects including literacy and numeracy, gender equality and even climate change.

Now we’re at a point where the humble stripey quadruped is something of a community champion, their presence integrated into schools, kindergartens and public spaces throughout the city and the country.

To commemorate the tenth anniversary of the project, Parque de las Cebras was brought to life in the popular Sopocachi neighborhood. The stripiest playground you've ever seen!

So next time you see a zebra – give them a high five and tell them they are doing a great job!