Farmers in Uganda have invented an innovative, non-lethal repellent that is helping Zimbabwean farmers safely keep elephants out of their fields and away from their crops.
The mixture contains chili, garlic, ginger, cow or elephant dung, and a few other ingredients. It’s the first deterrent that is cost-effective, easily grown, and that the elephants have not yet outsmarted.
“The strong smell is produced after three weeks of fermentation,” Tikobane Trust Founder Ndlelende Ncube told Anadolu Agency.
Farmers in Zimbabwean villages where the repellent was tested said they had far fewer unwanted encounters with elephants.
“I’m happy this concoction is working,” local farmer Flora Mangwana told Anadolu Agency. “I’ve seen some changes compared to other years that I’ve lived here.”
In places where people and pachyderms live in close proximity to one another, there are ongoing problems with elephants entering fields and trampling on crops, including maize, a dietary staple in Zimbabwe. Moreover, interactions between farmers and elephants often result in injury and death.
Maz Robertson, a representative with WildAid-East Africa, and his group are developing a business model that aims to give farmers elsewhere access to the deterrent and so reduce conflicts between humans and elephants. The current goal is to make the substance widely available while keeping costs low.
“Some of the ingredients need money, hence why we have also begun training local villagers to start planting ginger, garlic, and other herbs in their gardens,” Robertson told Anadolu Agency. “Hopefully, this will allow us to have year-long supplies.”
This new repellent is a potentially groundbreaking way to safely and affordably maintain boundaries and local food production without harming elephants.
What’s New…
And, since people are progressively encroaching on the wild elephants’ territory, it would be nice if they also planted some crops just for the elephants.
This a brillant idea. Well done.
This is brilliant!!! Well done to the people who invented this environmentally friendly solution!!
“Nothing will benefit health or increase chances of survival on this Earth as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.” – Albert Einstein
The super genius was major proponent of vegetarianism, though, he did not adopt the lifestyle voluntarily. Doctors prescribed a meat – free diet for his digestive problems. Toward the end of his life, he might have been a vegan. (In some decades ago the word “vegan” was a taboo, however, a natural step up for vegetarians). – “It always seems to me that man was not born to be carnivore.” – Albert Einstein …. (we all have been raised – brainwashed to believe that animal proteins are good for us and that is how god wants it.)
I agree. And Nikola Tesla wrote:
“I consider vegetarianism as a recommended starting point for giving up on established barbaric habits. Many peoples living almost exclusively vegetarian show greater strength and fitness. Some seedlings, such as oats, are more cost-effective than meat and better for mental and physical health. Every effort should be made to stop the vicious and cruel slaughter of animals, which can be devastating to human morale. To get rid of animal instincts and appetites, which set us back … we need to make a complete change in diet. All other thinking about food is unnecessary.”
AMAZING IDEA. Yes this Planet earth is for ALL of us to live. NOT only for the human species. But EVER OTHER LIVING BEING as well to live. SO the CO-EXISTING with the wild animals is the MOST HONORABLE WAY TO LIVE A LIFE. Making a substance with no additional cost needed it is even way better. PLEASE KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. Harming one life and Gaining another is NOT THE WAY TO LIVE A LIFE.
THANK YOU.
c’est super, au moins, il y a de l’espoir, si un pays avec un taux de corruption aussi important, celà, veut dire, qu ‘ il y a des personnes qui ne sont pas contaminée, par cette maladie, qu’est la corruption et qu’il existent des personnes saines pour aider ces pauvres bêtes qui n’ont rien faît pour mériter toutes ces tortures
Fabulous solution for elephants and humans. I hope that both may continue to co-exist amicably for years to come. 😀
This never seems to end! Im so tired of seeing this horrible crap that is done to animals by stupid humans! They need to be in prison!
This is excellent news & no animal has to die to create the non-lethal repellent!
Absolutely amazingly great for elephants and people.