animal
17:11, 26-Dec-2017
In South Africa, bees stop elephants from trampling trees
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A project launched in 2015 near South Africa’s Kruger National Park, in which the humble bee is used to to keep elephants from destroying trees and wiping out crops in their quest for food, has been a success.
An elephant’s skin is thick but sensitive and the animals will try to avoid a bee sting whenever possible, experts say.
“They’re terrified of it coming up the trunk and then they could potentially suffocate,” said Jess Wilmot, a field researcher with the Elephants Alive organisation.
Elephants Alive Photo
Elephants Alive Photo
Project founder Michelle Henley says beehives have proven to be “significantly effective” at protecting indigenous trees from being trampled.
“It’s amazing how a creature so small can actually scare away an elephant,” beekeeper Mark Collins said.
Now the project is upgrading the beehives, and also using them to explore commercial honey production.
11360km
Source(s): AP