Antoinette van de Water (Bring The Elephant Home, Project Dragonfly-Miami University alum) conducts research on sustainable solutions for human-elephant coexistence. In a study under the supervision of Future For Nature winner Dr. Lucy King, she looked into reducing conflict between elephants and farmers by using bees to improve the effectiveness of fences. Together with the Phuluang Wildlife Research Station, she has collected a large amount of camera trap data capturing elephant behavior near a beehive fence in Thailand.

Hosted by the Future of Nature Academy and Miami University’s Project Dragonfly, a collective of international elephant researchers present the new publication “Beehive fences as a sustainable local solution for human-elephant conflicts in Thailand” and other innovative elephant conservation projects.

Presenters include Antoinette van de Water (BTEH, South Africa), Dr. Lucy King (Future for Nature Winner, Save the Elephants, Kenya), Dr. Kevin Matteson (Project Dragonfly, Miami University), Kylie Butler (beehive fence study in Sri Lanka), Dr. Prachi Mehta (Wildlife Research and Conservation Society, India), Dr. Michelle Henley and Robin Cook (South Africa), Rachaya Arkajak (Phuluang Wildlife Research Station, Thailand) and David Owen (Miami University, BTEH, Thailand). They share their newest insights on how bees can help elephants to peacefully coexist with farmers. We broadcast some inspiring stories and videos and there include a panel discussion with scientists working with beehive fences in Asia and Africa.

This event is a collaboration of Future For Nature Academy, Miami University’s Project Dragonfly, Save the Elephants, the Phuluang Wildlife Research Station, and Bring The Elephant Home.