Imagine waking in the middle of the night to an elephant ripping the roof from your house in search of food. This is a reality in some communities in Africa where, as wild spaces shrink, people and elephants are competing for space and resources like never before. In this engaging talk, zoologist Lucy King shares her solution to the rising conflict: fences made from beehives that keep elephants at bay while also helping farmers establish new livelihoods.

How bees can keep the peace between elephants and humans

As farmland expands and wild spaces shrink, elephants and people increasingly clash over food and territory. In some African communities, elephants raid crops and even tear roofs from homes at night, while farmers struggle to protect their livelihoods. A creative solution uses beehive fences to naturally deter elephants—keeping 80 percent of them away from crops—while boosting honey production and pollination. This approach empowers local women, supports eco-friendly farming, and fosters peaceful coexistence.

Bees Protect Farms And Save Elephants From Deadly Conflict

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TED Stage Talk

Lucy King: How bees can keep the peace between elephants and humans