Chilies to the Rescue – Easing the Human-Elephant Conflict

Nature & Wildlife 52' or 43' 2010 HD

Protection measures and 20 years of prohibition of the ivory trade are making an impact: Almost all countries in Africa are reporting a rise in elephant numbers. In the past two decades, the population of these grey giants doubled to over 30.000, alone in the Safari-Paradise of Kenya. At the same time the population of humans is growing. Conflicts between both are unavoidable and the survival of the biggest land mammal is again endangered.

Conservationists are researching new methods to manage the jumbos: especially chili peppers seem very promising as the elephants' long trunks are very sensitive to the hot spice.