Due to ever-rising levels of deforestation, the natural range of the forest elephant has been greatly reduced. Now numbering just 80 in Nigeria, these elephants are being forced into farmland leading to devastating raids, often leaving farmers enraged and seeking vengeance.
We are working with affected farmers from several indigenous communities to raise simple chilli/beehive fences, made from wild invasive Indian bamboo, around farmland often targeted by the elephants.
Participating farmers will dedicate portions of their farms to the production of chillies, which are then used as a defence mechanism to protect the farmers’ crops from raiding elephants.
The chillies are dried and made into chilli oil, which cloths and bamboo are soaked in to construct the bamboo fencing. Chilli briquettes are also burned alongside the fence, creating an acrid smell that keeps the elephants at bay.
If the chillies should fail, the beehives along the fences will act as a secondary defence. Elephants that disturb the hives risk being stung, a deterrent that won’t be lethal to the animals but should dissuade them from returning.
The construction of the project will be accompanied by two educational workshops for the indigenes. These will display the importance of both the conservational and commercial benefits.
By dedicating portions of their farms to the production of chillies and their time to beekeeping, the farmers gain an additional income through the sale of their excess chillies, honey and beeswax, whilst gaining crop protection defence measures against elephants.
Project Team Leader:
Olivia Barker-House
