Why Elephants Hate Bees

By Lauren Evans

We all know elephants are scaredy-cats; show them a mouse and the big cowardy-custards run a mile.

Strangely enough though there’s no actual documented evidence of this occurrence. There is, however, evidence that elephants are scared of very different mini-beasts: bees.

That said, these aren’t any old bees we’re talking about, these are African killer bees, diminutive critters so notorious for their aggressive tendencies that they send shivers down the spines of many a macro-mammal. Now researchers in Africa are using these little guys to come up with a novel way of reducing conflicts between elephants and people.

In areas where elephants and humans co-exist tensions tend to mount. Rather than resort to shooting (a bit harsh) or fences (a bit restrictive) it seems a few well-placed hives can work wonders.

Elephants may be big, and bees a bit tiny to be any use as a deterrent, but if you know an elephant’s weak spots, he’s putty in your hands - apparently. A few stings on the belly, behind the ears, around the eyes or under the trunk and your elephant will be sent scarpering.

The researchers placed active and empty bee hives in trees in problem areas and monitored the amounts of elephant damage that occurred. After a few weeks, trees with occupied hives in them were untouched, whilst similar trees that contained no hives at all had up to 90% damage. Even the presence of an empty hive afforded trees some protection.

Further research showed that even placing a speaker in a tree that played recordings of bee-buzz were enough to protect the trees, and thus made them safer for the local population as well.

In a control test, Bach’s violin concerto was played from the speakers instead - elephants, it seems like Bach; these trees were trashed.

Hanging hives, or playing buzzing sounds, in certain areas could prevent raiding elephants from damaging agricultural smallholdings, ancient trees and ecologically important areas - the locals can even use the honey, as long as they can brave the killer bees!

Killer Bee Facts

Killer bees have hybridised with European bees and killed 1,000 people and 100,000 cows since the late ‘50s.

African bees look like their European chums, but if disturbed, they react ten times faster and recruit hundreds of individuals to chase their victim for up to a mile.

The average human can survive 300 bee stings, but 8,000 stings are not uncommon in a killer bee attack.

Scientists have located a ‘mean gene’ on the chromosomes of killer bees, which influences the speed and intensity of stinging behaviour.

Your Say

How do the elephants know they are killer bees? I couldn't tell the difference. Wouldn't ordinary bees work just as well and be safer for the locals?

Barry Cash

As far as we're aware, it's simply the local African species of bee that's being used, which is more aggressive than the European bee by nature. It wouldn't be any good introducing European bees because the two species hybridise - Null team.

More stories from the Null