Save the Elephants Study Roundup
Dear Recipients,
Please see the below articles on Save the Elephants' latest study on
beehive fences and elephants:
Study identifies honey bees as natural elephant deterrent
Naftali Mwaura and Lin Jing, The Star
October 30, 2024
The installation of beehives with live honey bees on fences around
smallholder farms in Kenya repelled elephants by more than 86 percent
during peak crop season, according to a study released Tuesday in Nairobi,
the Kenyan capital.
The study published in the journal Conservation Science and Practice finds
that as conflicts between the iconic herbivore and local communities have
escalated in Kenya, fueled by shrinking habitats, poaching, climatic
stresses and encroachment on dispersal areas, honey bees have proved an
effective nature-based solution to human-elephant conflict in Kenya.
The study, undertaken over nine years, involved scientists from the Kenya
Wildlife Service (KWS) and researchers from Save the Elephants, a
conservation charity, the Wildlife Research and Training Institute of Kenya
and Oxford University. It notes that honey bees offer a cost-effective
means of deterring elephants from subsistence farms.
"Kenya is facing increasing challenges with human-elephant conflict and
solutions like beehive fences empower communities to manage their farm
protection," said Patrick Omondi, director of the Wildlife Research and
Training Institute. "We need more research and support of nature-based
solutions to help our communities live better with wildlife."
Introduced in 2007 by the KWS and international partners, the beehive
fences consist of a series of live beehives strung together between posts,
creating a physical, auditory and olfactory deterrent against elephants'
invasion on farms.
Researchers observed that elephants' intense fear of being stung by bees
keeps them away from farmlands even as local communities benefit from
enhanced crop pollination and income generation through honey and wax
production.
In the study, the researchers monitored 26 farms protected by beehive
fences in two villages near Tsavo East National Park in southeastern Kenya
and analyzed 4,000 incidents of elephant approaches.
The elephants, according to the researchers, roamed freely in and out of
the park throughout the year as they looked for mates, food and water while
being attracted by the smell and nutritional richness of agricultural crops.
Researchers observed that during six peak growing seasons between 2014 and
2020, 3,027 elephants attempted to enter farms, with about 86 percent of
them kept away by the beehive fences each year, effectively protecting the
crops from raids.
Throughout the study period, including during drought seasons, the beehive
fences deterred an annual average of 76 percent of elephants, protecting
farms and averting hostilities between the iconic species and local
communities.
Beehive fences prove effective against elephant raids in Kenya
University of Oxford, Phys.org
October 29, 2024
See link
https://phys.org/news/2024-10-beehive-effective-elephant-raids-kenya.html#google_vignette
for photos.
A groundbreaking, nine-year study has revealed that elephants approaching
small-scale farms in Kenya avoid beehive fences housing live honey bees up
to 86% of the time during peak crop seasons, helping to reduce
human-elephant conflict for local farmers and boost income.
The study, published in the journal Conservation Science and Practice,
offers promising insights into using nature-based solutions to protect both
livelihoods and wildlife. The study was conducted by the research charity
Save the Elephants (STE) in collaboration with the Wildlife Research and
Training Institute (WRTI), Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), and the University
of Oxford.
However, researchers caution that ongoing habitat degradation and
persistent droughts could threaten the long-term effectiveness of this
natural deterrent.
Kenya is facing rapid human population growth, with a 59.4% increase
between 2000 and 2020, which has led to the shrinking of elephant habitats
as human settlements and infrastructure expand. Finding sustainable ways
for people and elephants to coexist is becoming an urgent challenge for
KWS, responsible for protecting the country's natural resources amid
growing economic development needs.
Keeping elephants safely away from subsistence farms is a major focus of
Save the Elephants' Coexistence Program.
Beehive fences, introduced in 2007 by STE and KWS, in partnership with the
University of Oxford, offer an innovative approach. These fences consist of
a series of live beehives strung together between posts, creating a
physical, auditory, and olfactory deterrent to elephants.
The elephants' natural fear of being stung keeps them away, while the
fences also benefit farmers by providing pollination services and
generating income through honey and wax production.
The study monitored 26 farms protected by beehive fences in two villages
near Tsavo East National Park, and analyzed nearly 4,000 incidents of
elephant approaches. Elephants roam freely in and out of the park
throughout the year as they look for mates, food and water, but can be
attracted by the smell and nutritional richness of agricultural crops.
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% of elephants from raiding crops. Across all
seasons and the entire study period, including a drought, the fences
deterred an annual average of 76% of elephants.
However, challenges such as the drought—which reduced hive occupation by
75% during 2017—negatively impacted honey production and profits both
during the drought and for three years after. Despite this climatic shock,
the 365 beehives used in the study produced one metric ton of honey, sold
for $2,250.
Dr. Lucy King from Save the Elephants and the University of Oxford's
Department of Biology, who led the study, highlighted the effectiveness of
beehive fences but warned of future risks.
"Beehive fences are very effective at reducing up to 86.3% of elephant
raids when the crops in the farms are at their most attractive," she said,
"but our results also warn that increased habitat disturbance or more
frequent droughts could reduce the effectiveness of this nature-based
coexistence method."
Dr. Patrick Omondi, Director of Wildlife Research and Training Institute,
emphasized the importance of continued research and funding for sustainable
solutions. "Kenya is facing increasing challenges with human-elephant
conflict, and solutions like beehive fences empower communities to manage
their own farm protection," he said. "We need more research and support for
nature-based solutions to help our communities live better alongside
wildlife."
Previous research by Save the Elephants, KWS and the University of Oxford
in partnership with bioacoustician scientists from Disney's Animal Kingdom
has shown that elephants respond strongly to bees, running away from
disturbed bee sounds and exhibiting behaviors such as head-shaking,
dusting, and rumbling to warn others.
While elephants' thick skin usually protects them, disturbed honey bees
target sensitive areas like the eyes, mouth, and trunk, where their stings
cause discomfort. This natural fear of bees has been harnessed as a
practical tool to keep elephants away from farms, helping to promote
coexistence between humans and wildlife.
To date, over 14,000 beehives have been hung as elephant deterrents in 97
sites across Africa and Asia.
https://phys.org/news/2024-10-beehive-effective-elephant-raids-kenya.html#google_vignette
Study identifies honey bees as natural elephant deterrent
CGTN
October 30, 2024
The installation of beehives with live honey bees on fences around
smallholder farms in Kenya repelled elephants by more than 86 percent
during peak crop season, according to a study released Tuesday in Nairobi,
the Kenyan capital.
The study published in the journal Conservation Science and Practice finds
that as conflicts between the iconic herbivore and local communities have
escalated in Kenya, fueled by shrinking habitats, poaching, climatic
stresses and encroachment on dispersal areas, honey bees have proved an
effective nature-based solution to human-elephant conflict in Kenya.
The study, undertaken over nine years, involved scientists from the Kenya
Wildlife Service (KWS) and researchers from Save the Elephants, a
conservation charity, the Wildlife Research and Training Institute of Kenya
and Oxford University. It notes that honey bees offer a cost-effective
means of deterring elephants from subsistence farms.
"Kenya is facing increasing challenges with human-elephant conflict and
solutions like beehive fences empower communities to manage their farm
protection," said Patrick Omondi, director of the Wildlife Research and
Training Institute. "We need more research and support of nature-based
solutions to help our communities live better with wildlife."
Introduced in 2007 by the KWS and international partners, the beehive
fences consist of a series of live beehives strung together between posts,
creating a physical, auditory and olfactory deterrent against elephants'
invasion on farms.
Researchers observed that elephants' intense fear of being stung by bees
keeps them away from farmlands while local communities benefit from
enhanced crop pollination and income generation through honey and wax
production.
In the study, the researchers monitored 26 farms protected by beehive
fences in two villages near Tsavo East National Park in southeastern Kenya
and analyzed 4,000 incidents of elephant approaches.
The elephants, according to the researchers, roamed freely in and out of
the park throughout the year as they looked for mates, food and water while
being attracted by the smell and nutritional richness of agricultural crops.
Researchers observed that during six peak growing seasons between 2014 and
2020, 3,027 elephants attempted to enter farms, with about 86 percent of
them kept away by the beehive fences each year, effectively protecting the
crops from raids.
Throughout the study period, including during drought seasons, the beehive
fences deterred an annual average of 76 percent of elephants, protecting
farms and averting hostilities between the iconic species and local
communities.
Bees vs. Elephants: Kenya’s Sweet Solution to Wildlife Conflict
University of Oxford, Sci Tech Daily
October 29, 2024
See link
https://scitechdaily.com/bees-vs-elephants-kenyas-sweet-solution-to-wildlife-conflict/
for photos.
A groundbreaking nine-year study found that elephants approaching
small-scale farms in Kenya avoid beehive fences with live honey bees up to
86% of the time during peak crop seasons. This natural deterrent has helped
reduce human-elephant conflict for local farmers while also boosting their
income.
Key findings include:
Beehive fences are a proven success in reducing human-elephant conflict in
Africa.
Savannah elephants avoid beehive fences housing live honey bees up to 86%
of the time during peak crop seasons.
Across all seasons and the entire study period, the fences deterred an
annual average of 76% of 3,999 elephants that approached the study farms in
Kenya.
The study offers promising insights into using nature-based solutions to
protect both livelihoods and wildlife.
Increased habitat disturbance or more frequent droughts, however, could
reduce the effectiveness of beehive fences as a natural elephant deterrent
in the future.
Beehive Fences in Kenya
Published today (October 29) in the journal Conservation Science and
Practice, a new study provides promising evidence that nature-based
solutions, such as beehive fences, can protect both farmers’ livelihoods
and local wildlife. Conducted by the research charity Save the Elephants
(STE) in partnership with the Wildlife Research and Training Institute
(WRTI), Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), and the University of Oxford, the
study highlights the potential of bees as natural deterrents.
However, researchers warn that continued habitat loss and recurring
droughts may compromise the long-term effectiveness of these beehive
barriers.
Population Growth and Habitat Shrinking
Kenya’s rapid human population growth—up 59.4% between 2000 and 2020—has
led to shrinking elephant habitats as settlements and infrastructure
expand. With an urgent need for sustainable coexistence between people and
elephants, Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) is challenged to balance
conservation with economic development. Save the Elephants’ Coexistence
Program focuses on keeping elephants safely away from subsistence farms to
support this delicate balance.
Beehive fences, introduced in 2007 by STE and KWS, in partnership with the
University of Oxford, offer an innovative approach. These fences consist of
a series of live beehives strung together between posts, creating a
physical, auditory, and olfactory deterrent to elephants. The elephants’
natural fear of being stung keeps them away, while the fences also benefit
farmers by providing pollination services and generating income through
honey and wax production.
Study Findings and Seasonal Impact Analysis
The study monitored 26 farms protected by beehive fences in two villages
near Tsavo East National Park, and analyzed nearly 4,000 incidents of
elephant approaches. Elephants roam freely in and out of the park
throughout the year as they look for mates, food and water, but can be
attracted by the smell and nutritional richness of agricultural crops.
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% of elephants from raiding crops. Across all
seasons and the entire study period, including a drought, the fences
deterred an annual average of 76% of elephants.
Economic Impact During Environmental Challenges
However, challenges such as the drought—which reduced hive occupation by
75% during 2017 —negatively impacted honey production and profits both
during the drought and for three years after. Despite this climatic shock,
the 365 beehives used in the study produced one ton of honey, sold for
$2,250.
Dr. Lucy King from Save the Elephants and the University of Oxford’s
Department of Biology, who led the study, highlighted the effectiveness of
beehive fences but warned of future risks. “Beehive fences are very
effective at reducing up to 86.3% of elephant raids when the crops in the
farms are at their most attractive,” she said, “but our results also warn
that increased habitat disturbance or more frequent droughts could reduce
the effectiveness of this nature-based coexistence method.”
Dr. Patrick Omondi, Director Wildlife Research and Training Institute,
emphasized the importance of continued research and funding for sustainable
solutions. “Kenya is facing increasing challenges with human-elephant
conflict, and solutions like beehive fences empower communities to manage
their own farm protection,” he said. “We need more research and support for
nature-based solutions to help our communities live better alongside
wildlife.”
Previous Research on Elephants and Bees
Previous research by Save the Elephants, KWS, and the University of Oxford
in partnership with bioacoustician scientists from Disney’s Animal Kingdom®
has shown that elephants respond strongly to bees, running away from
disturbed bee sounds and exhibiting behaviors such as head-shaking,
dusting, and rumbling to warn others. While elephants’ thick skin usually
protects them, disturbed honey bees target sensitive areas like the eyes,
mouth, and trunk, where their stings cause discomfort. This natural fear of
bees has been harnessed as a practical tool to keep elephants away from
farms, helping to promote coexistence between humans and wildlife. To date
over 14,000 beehives have been hung as elephant deterrents in 97 sites
across Africa and Asia.
Reference: “Impact of drought and development on the effectiveness of
beehive fences as elephant deterrents over 9 years in Kenya” by Lucy E.
King, Lydia Tiller, Emmanuel Mwambingu, Esther Serem, Hesron Nzumu, Gloria
Mugo, Naiya Raja, Ewan Brennan, Derick Kisiang’ani Wanjala, Victor Ndombi,
Kennedy Leneuyia, Harry Williams, Fredrick Lala, Frank Pope and Iain
Douglas-Hamilton, 29 October 2024, Conservation Science and Practice.
DOI: 10.1111/csp2.13242
https://scitechdaily.com/bees-vs-elephants-kenyas-sweet-solution-to-wildlife-conflict/