Man vs elephant: Could bees hold the key to this conflict?
A herd of elephants at the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
What you need to know:
- As elephants seek food, water, and mates, they are attracted to crops, leading to increased conflict with local farmers.
- According to the study, the fences deterred an annual average of 76 per cent of elephants across all seasons.
A recent study published in Conservation Science and Practice reveals that beehive fences could be the solution to reducing human-elephant conflicts in Kenya.
Researchers from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Save the Elephants, the Wildlife Research and Training Institute of Kenya, and Oxford University conducted a nine-year study and found that fences featuring live beehives deter elephants by more than 86 per cent during peak crop seasons.
As elephants seek food, water, and mates, they are attracted to crops, leading to increased conflict with local farmers.
According to the study, beehive fences combine physical, auditory, and olfactory deterrents, harnessing the elephants' natural fear of bees to significantly reduce raids without resorting to harmful methods.
The study monitored 26 farms near Tsavo East National Park, analysing nearly 4,000 elephant encounters.
"During six peak crop-growing seasons (November to January 2014-2020), 3,027 elephants approached the farms, and the beehive fences successfully deterred an annual average of 86.3 per cent of elephants from raiding crops," the study shows.
According to the study, the fences deterred an annual average of 76 per cent of elephants across all seasons and the entire study period, including a drought.
However, researchers caution that ongoing habitat degradation and increased droughts could diminish the long-term effectiveness of this method.
Dr Lucy King, who led the study, emphasised the need for continued monitoring.
"Beehive fences are very effective at reducing up to 86.3 per cent of elephant raids when the crops in the farms are at their most attractive. Increased habitat disturbance or more frequent droughts could reduce the effectiveness of this nature-based coexistence method," Dr King said.
Dr Patrick Omondi from the Wildlife Research and Training Institute highlighted the need for more research and support for sustainable solutions, adding that solutions like beehive fences empower communities to manage their farm protection.
"Kenya is facing increasing challenges with human-elephant conflict. We need more research and support for nature-based solutions to help our communities live better alongside wildlife," Dr Omondi said.
The study reflects the growing challenges of human-elephant conflict in Kenya, often exacerbated by shrinking habitats, poaching, climatic change, and encroachment on migratory routes.
Previous research by Save the Elephants, KWS, and the University of Oxford demonstrated elephants' strong aversion to bees.
Elephants exhibit behaviours like head-shaking, dusting, and rumbling to warn others when they hear disturbed bee sounds.
"While elephants' thick skin usually protects them, disturbed honey bees target sensitive areas like the eyes, mouth, and trunk, where their stings cause discomfort," explained Dr King.
Over 14,000 beehives have been hung as elephant deterrents in 97 African and Asian sites.
"This innovative approach protects crops and promotes coexistence between humans and wildlife," added Dr Omondi.
