HEC Abatement: Deterrents, Ecological Correlates, and Climate Smart Agriculture Practices, Kenya

Human encroachment and agricultural development have compressed and fragmented the ranges for African elephants. Negative encounters with people result in human elephant conflict (HEC) with negative consequences. The most common form of HEC is crop raiding, which is often devastating for subsistence farmers. This study is investigating means to reduce HEC through deterrents by testing the effectiveness of a variety of methods including beehive fences, capsaicin, and reflective metal strips, both on their own and when used in combination with each other. In addition, behavioral and ecological correlates are being studied to explore connections to crop raiding.

IEF #AF1018

Project Years: 2017 – 2021

Project Partners:
Dr. Bruce Schulte, Western Kentucky University