Mysuru: A year-long pilot study conducted by the College of Forestry under the University of Agriculture and Horticultural Sciences, Ponnampet in Kodagu, as part of the Reducing Elephant–Human Attacks using Bees (Re-Hab) project of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), revealed that bee boxes used as a fence can prevent wild elephant attacks and force them to change their corridor.
The study was led by principal investigator RN Kencharaddi and was conducted using Indian bees in eight locations in the Kodagu district. Initially, the elephants tried to destroy the honey bee boxes and create new routes in nearby areas. However, they eventually deviated from their original corridor, fearing attack of honeybee.
According to Kencharaddi, the pilot study began by placing honeybee boxes at a distance of four-feet across the elephant corridors in various locations of the Kodagu district, including the fringe areas of Nagarahole Tiger Reserve. However, as the elephants were able to avoid the honeybees by cleverly entering inside, the gap between the boxes was reduced to 3-feet. "We monitored the movement and behaviour of elephants through video recordings. Seventy percent of the time, the elephants returned after seeing these honeybee boxes," he explained.
Kencharaddi noted that the elephants deviated from their corridor after being fenced with the honeybee boxes. In African countries, aggressive honeybees are used for fencing. "In this pilot project, we used Indian bees, which are not aggressive. Still, the elephants were forced to deviate. We have submitted the pilot study findings to KVIC," he added.
Kencharaddi explained that honey beekeeping has multiple benefits, including increased yields and a new source of income for farmers.