Kenyan Farmers Use Beehives and Cunning to Protect Crops from Elephants

• Farmers in Kenya are using beehives to protect their fields from elephants.
• Changing the culture of farming helps to avoid conflicts with wild animals.
• Ecologists hope for improved coexistence between elephants and local communities.

In the Taita Taveta region of southern Kenya, farmers are facing a serious problem: elephants are destroying their crops and can cause harm to humans. Farmer Richard Shika, 68, shares his experience with elephants that often invade his field.

Elephant trails lead to the largest national park in Kenya, where wild animals roam freely. This creates conflicts between people and elephants, which last year resulted in the deaths of 30-35 individuals.

However, farmers have found alternative solutions to protect their crops. One such solution is the use of beehives. Beehives placed along the edges of fields deter elephants, as they also dislike the smell of honey.

Richard Shika points out that since he started using beehives, his harvest has remained untouched, and he has also earned nearly 250 dollars from honey sales. Another farmer, 70-year-old Gertrude Jackim, switched her crop from corn to beehives, as the aroma of honeybees keeps elephants away.

This new method of cultivating crops and protection allows farmers to work the land peacefully, reducing conflicts with wild animals. Ecologists hope these initiatives will help change the local residents' attitudes towards elephants and ensure harmonious coexistence between people and nature.

Tags: Ecology