--------------------------------------------------------
We study the ecology of savanna elephants in montane forest, identify important elephant corridors, and seek ways of reducing conflict between farmers and elephants in the Udzungwa Mountains of Tanzania.
--------------------------------------------------------
Chili fences are in the news this week, with a new article in the Wall Street Journal about their use in Tanzania to deter crop-raiding elephants. The article features one of our camera-trap photos showing elephant behaviour at a fence. As we point out in the comments below the article, we are seeing mixed results so far from these fences in Udzungwa – but it’s still early days.
WildlifeDirect is separately registered in the US (501-(c)3 not for profit) and Kenya (not for profit), aimed at helping endangered animals worldwide. No administration fee is taken for the funds
that are transferred through us so that the financial support, net only of bank fees, can go where it was intended in its entirety.
WildlifeDirect ensures that 100% of your financial support (net of bank transfer fees) reaches your intended purpose.
Thank you for your support towards the core costs of WildlifeDirect.
5 Comments
Well the fences are known to work – let’s hope that the ellies don’t get used to the smell!
Hi Dana,
They work some of the time – but elephants are clever, as I’m sure you’re aware. They can spray dust over the fence and then walk through it, or just turn round and reverse through the fence!
My partner and I stumbled over here by a different web page and thought I may
as well check things out. I like what I see so now i’m following you. Look forward to looking at your web page repeatedly.
Thanks and welcome. You can also get updates on our Facebook page – if you wish. Cheers, the UEP team.
I’m sorry that I haven’t visited your blog for a long time. Looks like I’ve missed a lot of news & info.. I’m involved in so many different projects that don’t have much spare time, but will definitely allocate time to follow this blog. I’m following closely any news reference to elephant poaching and it was just last week that I read a news article in which Tanzanian officials were commenting the present elephant poaching crisis. They were talking about some hundereds of elephants being killed this year by poachers. I find it hard to believe, because even in Kenya they have lost close to a hundred eles this year and KWS has better resources to combat poaching. The real numbers must be a lot higher? Would like to hear your thoughts on this. Meanwhile I’ll read the five year plan for Tanzania’s elephants.