In the Taita hills near Tsavo National Park, Kenyan farmers are turning to nature to tackle a growing menace: crop-raiding elephants. With human-elephant conflicts escalating, innovative solutions like beehive fences and sesame cultivation are proving effective in protecting livelihoods while fostering coexistence.

Farmer Richard Shika, 68, narrowly escaped disaster when an elephant charged him while he defended his maize field. “It stopped right in front of me, and I jumped out of the way,” he recalls. Such incidents are not uncommon in Taita Taveta, where a tragic case two years ago saw a 3-year-old girl killed by an elephant. The region, bordered by the unfenced Tsavo East and West National Parks, sees frequent elephant incursions as human settlements disrupt their migratory paths.

Elephants, consuming 150 kg of vegetation daily, are drawn to crops like maize and watermelons. “They’re clever,” Shika notes. “They test fences and charge through if they’re not electrified.” With 30-35 human deaths annually linked to elephant conflicts across Kenya, retaliation through spearing or poisoning has been common, but non-lethal alternatives are gaining traction.

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With support from Save the Elephants, 50 farmers, including Shika, have installed beehive fences—hives hung on wires that, when disturbed, unleash bees that elephants fear. “Elephants don’t like getting stung,” Shika says. These fences deter up to 86% of elephant raids during peak crop seasons, according to a nine-year study by Save the Elephants and partners. Shika has earned USD 250 from honey sales this year, adding income while protecting his crops.

Meanwhile, 100 farmers, including 70-year-old Gertrude Jackim, have switched to sesame, a crop elephants avoid due to its repellent scent. “I’m aging; I can’t chase elephants,” Jackim says. “Sesame was a no-brainer.” This shift has reduced crop losses, especially as elephant numbers in Tsavo have surged to 15,000, a 300% increase since the 1990s.

Yuka Luvonga from Save the Elephants emphasizes the need for harmony: “We must live with elephants and change community attitudes.” By blending beekeeping and sesame farming, farmers are not only safeguarding their fields but also contributing to conservation efforts, creating a win-win for humans and elephants in this conflict-prone region.

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