A groundbreaking study released Tuesday in Nairobi has revealed that installing beehives with live honey bees on fences around smallholder farms in Kenya repelled elephants by more than 86 percent during the peak crop season.
Published in the journal Conservation Science and Practice, the research highlights the escalating conflicts between elephants and local communities in Kenya. Factors such as shrinking habitats, poaching, climatic stresses, and encroachment on elephant dispersal areas have intensified these clashes.
The study demonstrates that honey bees serve as an effective nature-based solution to mitigate human-elephant conflict. By leveraging the natural deterrent properties of honey bees, farmers can protect their crops while promoting coexistence with these iconic herbivores.
This innovative approach not only safeguards agricultural livelihoods but also contributes to broader conservation efforts, ensuring that elephants and human communities can thrive side by side.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com