TED Talks Daily How bees can keep the peace between elephants and humans | Lucy King
Feb 7, 2020
Zoologist and elephant advocate Lucy King shares her groundbreaking approach to easing human-elephant tensions using beehive fences. She explains how these fences exploit elephants' fear of bees, protecting crops and helping farmers thrive. King emphasizes the importance of women's involvement in beekeeping to foster livelihoods and conservation. Her initiative not only alleviates conflicts but also promotes wildlife protection, showcasing nature-based solutions for sustainable coexistence.
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Childhood in Africa
- Lucy King grew up in Southern Africa with teacher parents who had long holidays and short budgets.
- They camped in game reserves, which sparked her early interest in zoology and the human-wildlife dynamic.
Declining Elephant Population
- The African elephant population has declined drastically, from 1.2 million in the 1970s to around 400,000 today.
- Simultaneously, the human population has quadrupled, leading to increased competition for resources and human-elephant conflict.
Elephant Raids
- Elephants raiding crops and resources has created conflict with humans, especially in rural areas.
- King describes the terrifying experience of elephants ripping roofs off houses in search of food.