Africa’s elephants are facing a growing crisis as development and human expansion block ancient migration routes across Kenya’s Tsavo region and beyond. Once free to roam vast distances, elephants now encounter highways, railways, and fences that cut off access to water and food. This fragmentation traps the massive animals, forcing them into increased competition with people. As a result, human-elephant clashes have become the leading threat to these giants, following the decline of poaching after China’s 2018 ban on the ivory trade. However, hope is emerging through ingenious, non-lethal solutions. Farmers are now employing creative deterrents like beehive fences, which capitalize on the elephant’s natural fear of bees to protect crops effectively. This innovative approach symbolizes a growing effort to find a peaceful coexistence, ensuring these magnificent creatures can continue their ancestral journeys.
The Guardian
