A new study in Kenya has shown that fences made of beehives with live bees are an effective way to protect farms from elephant raids.
This innovative method reduces conflicts between humans and wild animals, ensuring a safe coexistence.
The researchers found that elephants that approach beehive-protected farms turn and leave 86 percent of the time. This is due to elephants’ natural fear of bees. The sound of buzzing and the threat of stings make animals avoid these areas. In addition, beehive fences provide additional benefits to farmers. Bees pollinate plants, which increases crop yields, and the honey and wax produced by bees provide an additional source of income. However, researchers warn that the effectiveness of this method could decrease due to climate change and the decline of elephant habitats. Droughts and other negative factors could affect bee populations and make hives less attractive to farmers.
Despite these limitations, beehive fencing is a promising method of protecting elephant farms. This approach is environmentally friendly and does not harm animals. Researchers call for continued research and support for this method to conserve biodiversity and ensure the sustainable development of rural communities.
The results of the study open up new possibilities for creating a more peaceful coexistence between humans and wild animals. Beehive fences may be used in other regions where human-elephant conflicts occur. However, for this method to be successful, local conditions need to be taken into account and more research needs to be done.
