MGV Giles Paget-Wilkes, self-described multi-national citizen and lead of the Discovery Gardens apiary, gave a fascinating talk on the development of Bee Fences on Mount Elgon in Kenya to humanely ward off elephants (Bee Fences protect crops from Elephants).
Map of Mount Elgon; Speaker MGV Giles Paget-Wilkes.
Mount Elgon is a huge dormant volcanic mountain, the largest by footprint (80 x 50 km) in the world. It’s size and geographic position result in many unique endemic species. The mountain serves as a keystone regional water resource that feeds the Nile River. There are many caves in the mountain containing Stone Age human artifacts and cave art. There is even evidence of salt mining by the indigenous elephants!
The Ugandan side is a national park that is mostly deforested, and devoid of elephants (slaughter in the 1970s). However, on the Kenyan side, there is a national park, 2 forest preserves and the Chepkitale high moorland area. Once an abundant herd, the endemic short-tusked, cave elephants now number only ~500. They remain threatened by poaching and deforestation, and due to the human-elephant conflict!
The Human-Elephant Conflict
Giles recounts the struggle of farmers growing an entire crop cabbage, ready to harvest, and then elephants would sneak into fields in the middle of the night. They would eat all the crops and trampled the field in one evenng. This would lead to the human-elephant battles resulting in death or injury to animals and humans. The farmers suffered this economic devastation repeatedly.
Enter the Bee Fences
It was observed that elephants are very afraid of the endemic, ferocious African Bee, Apis mellifera scutellata. When provoked, the bees will sting the elephant’s mouth, eyes, and trunk opening. Elephants do not like this! They leave the area to avoid the bees.
Dr. Lucy King, a zoologist, invented special beehive fences as a natural, bio-acoustic deterrent. Bee Fences protect crops from Elephants. Suspended hives are attached to a wire fence. The wire fence swing when pushed by an elephant, releasing defensive swarming bees. That scares the elephants away. Elephants are smart, and soon enough, even recordings of the sound of these bees can scare away elephants. An added benefit to the farmers is the ability to harvest the honey and sell it in Nairobi as special, artisan Mount Elgon Honey. Hopefully, the bee fence concept will end the Human-Elephant Conflict!
Moving one of the poles into position; Five farmers selected for the pilot in their bee suits. (Credit: EAWLS-MEEP)
Visit the Mount Elgon Foundation website for more information. This post was written with the help of MGV Cathy Keller, Lake County Master Gardener Volunteer. Thank you!
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