Open AccessBeehive fences as a sustainable local solution to human‐elephant conflict in Thailand
Author(s) -
Water Antoinette,
King Lucy E.,
Arkajak Rachaya,
Arkajak Jirachai,
Doormaal Nick,
Ceccarelli Viviana,
Sluiter Liesbeth,
Doornwaard Suzan M.,
Praet Vera,
Owen David,
Matteson Kevin
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
conservation science and practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2578-4854
DOI - 10.1111/csp2.260
Subject(s) - fence (mathematics) , fencing , beehive , geography , socioeconomics , sustainability , agroforestry , ecology , engineering , biology , economics , structural engineering , parallel computing , computer science
As human‐elephant conflict (HEC) increases, a better understanding of the human dimensions of these conflicts and non‐violent mitigation methods are needed to foster long‐term coexistence. In this study, we conducted household questionnaires ( n = 296) to assess the prevalence of HEC and attitudes towards elephants in four rural villages in Thailand. In addition, we evaluated a pilot beehive fence as a sustainable solution for HEC. The majority of the households reported seeing or hearing elephants near their property at least once a week (84.9%) and experienced negative impacts from elephants in the last 5 years, (81.0%). The beehive fence deterred 88.4% of individual elephants ( n = 155) and 64.3% of elephant groups ( n = 28) that approached the fence. Most elephants (70.7%) exhibited behaviors suggesting heightened attentiveness or alarm. The farm owner reported economic and social benefits of the beehive fence. By contributing to farmer income and reducing crop damage caused by wild elephants, beehive fencing may provide an important locally‐managed complement to regional HEC mitigation methods.