Beehive fences are highly effective in reducing human-elephant conflict, but researchers warn of future risks

However, researchers caution that ongoing habitat degradation and persistent droughts could threaten the long-term effectiveness of this natural deterrent.

Kenya is facing rapid human population growth, with a 59.4% increase between 2000 and 2020, which has led to the shrinking of elephant habitats as human settlements and infrastructure expand. Finding sustainable ways for people and elephants to coexist is becoming an urgent challenge for KWS, responsible for protecting the country's natural resources amid growing economic development needs. Keeping elephants safely away from subsistence farms is a major focus of Save the Elephants' Coexistence Programme.

Beehive fences, introduced in 2007 by STE and KWS, in partnership with the University of Oxford, offer an innovative approach. These fences consist of a series of live beehives strung together between posts, creating a physical, auditory, and olfactory deterrent to elephants. The elephants' natural fear of being stung keeps them away, while the fences also benefit farmers by providing pollination services and generating income through honey and wax production.

The study monitored 26 farms protected by beehive fences in two villages near Tsavo East National Park, and analysed nearly 4,000 incidents of elephant approaches. Elephants roam freely in and out of the park throughout the year as they look for mates, food and water, but can be attracted by the smell and nutritional richness of agricultural crops.

During six peak crop-growing seasons (November to January 2014-2020), 3,027 elephants approached the farms and the beehive fences successfully deterred an annual average of 86.3% of elephants from raiding crops. Across all seasons and the entire study period, including a drought, the fences deterred an annual average of 76% of elephants.

However, challenges such as the drought -- which reduced hive occupation by 75% during 2017 -- negatively impacted honey production and profits both during the drought and for three years after. Despite this climatic shock, the 365 beehives used in the study produced one ton of honey, sold for $2,250.

Dr Lucy King from Save the Elephants and the University of Oxford's Department of Biology, who led the study, highlighted the effectiveness of beehive fences but warned of future risks. "Beehive fences are very effective at reducing up to 86.3% of elephant raids when the crops in the farms are at their most attractive," she said, "but our results also warn that increased habitat disturbance or more frequent droughts could reduce the effectiveness of this nature-based coexistence method."

Dr. Patrick Omondi, Director Wildlife Research and Training Institute, emphasised the importance of continued research and funding for sustainable solutions. "Kenya is facing increasing challenges with human-elephant conflict, and solutions like beehive fences empower communities to manage their own farm protection," he said. "We need more research and support for nature-based solutions to help our communities live better alongside wildlife."

Previous research by Save the Elephants, KWS and the University of Oxford in partnership with bioacoustician scientists from Disney's Animal Kingdom® has shown that elephants respond strongly to bees, running away from disturbed bee sounds and exhibiting behaviours such as head-shaking, dusting, and rumbling to warn others. While elephants' thick skin usually protects them, disturbed honey bees target sensitive areas like the eyes, mouth, and trunk, where their stings cause discomfort. This natural fear of bees has been harnessed as a practical tool to keep elephants away from farms, helping to promote coexistence between humans and wildlife. To date over 14,000 beehives have been hung as elephant deterrents in 97 sites across Africa and Asia.