Project Report
| Oct 24, 2017
Update on Bees Saving Elephants
By Dr. Hayley Adams | Co-Leader
Thank you for donating to our Bees Saving Elephants Project!
Here are a few of the accomplishments you have assisted with in the last quarter:
1. Beekeeping Committee formed in Sangaiwe village:
Consisting of 10x members including a beekeeper in the village, and farmers who own land on the front-line boundary with Tarangire National park (this land is most frequently raided by elephants) The committee members also include those who are regularly defending the farms at night, so they are very experienced with the land affected by crop-raiding elephants.
The Committee members will be responsible for data collection, beehive fence maintenance, security, and will additionally be trained as beekeepers.
2. Bee Ecology Study: This study will collect data on bee foraging potential in the region and water access to ensure all colonies are supported, as part of the long-term strategy for sustainability of the beehive fence.
3. Buzz Box: Low cost, easy to use, innovatibe audio deterrent device that has been developed based on the research conducted by Dr Lucy King, which proved elephants are afraid of the sound of bees. This device may thus provide an additional buffer to the beehives. Should a colony abscond, the vulnerable, exposed element of the fence can be protected with a quick installation of the Buzz Box. The buzz box will also be used as part of a research study at The School for Field Studies in Tanzania, and a pilot location in Kenya.
4. Beekeeping Trainers: We are vetting a number of experienced beekeepers to fulfil the role of our project trainer - to construct and deliver a practical beekeeping course for our communities. Continued funding will be crucial as the courses are ongoing, to support the farmers throughout the beekeeping season, and onto honey harvesting.
5. Elephant Identification Database: Training farmers in the identification of elephants - looking at physical characteristics & family sizes, in order to build an understanding of elephant behaviour, patterns, and further awareness of elephants as a keystone species.
These are just a few of the accomplishments we have acheived in the past few months thanks to your support!
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