The method of “bee fences”, which is based on the natural fear elephants have of these insects, has been known for quite some time. The thick skin of elephants typically provides them with good protection, but when disturbed, bees choose to attack the most sensitive areas — the eyes, mouth, and trunk. Remembering the discomfort from the stings, elephants tend to avoid places where they encountered bees in the future.
Although this method of protecting crops from elephant incursions is utilized by farmers in Africa and Asia, there are critics who claim it is not very effective. However, data from a recent scientific study published in the journal Conservation Science and Practice suggest otherwise. The practice of using bee fences in Kenya has shown that they help prevent up to 86% of potential elephant intrusions into farmland.
For nine years, researchers monitored the situation in over two dozen small farms near East Tsavo — one of the oldest and largest national parks in Kenya. Elephants roam freely within the park and beyond in search of water and food.
During the observation period, nearly 4,000 elephants approached fields protected by bee hives. Although about a quarter of them (1,007 animals) broke through the fence and entered the farmers' plots, a significantly larger number — 2,649 elephants — either chose to stay outside the fence or accessed specifically designated control plots without “bee protection.”
Another 343 elephants (approximately 8.5%) managed to enter the fields due to defects in the fence's construction — in some cases, it did not fully enclose the area, and the animals took advantage of the gaps.
Over the nine years, the average breach rate of the fences was 23.96%, while the annual average success rate of repelling elephants was 76.04%. According to the researchers, at its peak, the effectiveness of the bee fences reached 86.3%, but it periodically declined due to external factors, including droughts.
The researchers also noted that the “bee fences” allowed farmers to collect about a ton of honey, with sales bringing in approximately 2,250 US dollars for the farms. In dry years, the occupancy of the hives and honey production dropped, as did the effectiveness of the fences.
In conclusion, experts warned that continued habitat disruption for elephants, along with increasing droughts, could negatively impact the effectiveness of the “bee fence” method, which facilitates peaceful coexistence between local communities and elephants. The authors urged for ongoing searches for ecological solutions that help people live alongside wildlife without causing harm.