Welcome to vnonline.co.uk

vnonline.co.uk provides the veterinary nursing profession with the latest news and industry developments, as well as events, resources, learning materials and careers.

Our website is dedicated to veterinary nurses and we strive to provide a platform where you can voice and explore your interests.

Not a member yet? Sign up for free!

Register for free with vnonline.co.uk to gain unlimited access to news, resources, jobs and much more!



Click here to become a member






Log in to vnonline

Forgot your password?

Posted: 5th January 2016

'Bee fence' to ease human-elephant conflict
The Serengeti national park in Tanzania are using bees to reduce escalating tensions with elephants.
Concept deployed to ease tensions in Tanzania

The Serengeti national park in Tanzania are using bees to reduce escalating tensions with elephants that anger locals by stamping on their crops.

The Guardian reports that a fence made of beehives is being constructed around a one-acre farm near to the Ngorongoro conservation area as part of a pilot project to see if the bees will deter elephants that wander on to cropland.

It is hoped that the 'bee fence' concept, which has already been used in Botswana and Kenya, will help to reduce conflict in Tanzania.

The project is the brainchild of zoologist Dr Lucy King, with the Tanzanian pilot funded via a $6,000 grant from the Ian Somehalder Foundation.

Speaking to the Guardian, Dr Hayley Adams, a US Veterinary Surgeon who is working on the project, said:  “Elephants are highly cognitive so if they have been stung before, you’ll see an extreme reaction to the sound of bees. It’s a cliche but elephants have good memories. Some of the younger elephants don’t realize and get stung on their ears, which are very sensitive, so they remember to not go near there again.”

She added that if the trial is successful, then it may be expanded across the region. This would not only benefit the local community by reducing tensions with elephants, but it would also supply them with honey for sale or consumption.

“This is far better than firing in the air or using sticks to hit elephants, which just makes them aggressive,” she said. “We need an holistic approach that benefits both people and elephants.”



Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history



Latest news | Careers | Events | Resources | Contact us | Terms and conditions | Data Protection and Privacy |Cookie policy | About us | Copyright
© 2026 Vision Media, all rights reserved. vnonline.co.uk is not responsible for the content of external websites.