Polish aid

STEP is committed to implementing solutions that alleviate conflict between humans and elephants in southern Tanzania. STEP worked hand in hand with the Polish Academy of Sciences while implementing one of the projects aimed at protecting elephants in the Kilombero Valley.

There are frequent conflicts between the farming community and African elephants in Kilombero, a valley located between the protected areas of the Udzungwa Mountains National Park and Nyerere National Park. The migration routes of these wild animals run through areas that have been developed for the cultivation of sugar cane, rice, bananas and mangoes, a unique delicacy for them. Significant crop losses caused by elephants often deprive farmers of the chance to provide for their families.

A number of activities were carried out by the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Dar es Salaam in cooperation with the STEP organization to ensure peaceful human-elephant coexistence in the Kilombero Valley. These multidimensional, complementary initiatives fit into the philosophy and ideas of Polish aid.

Educational activities

Youth and children from areas adjacent to protected zones encounter elephants on their way to school. For this reason, primary and secondary schools are delivering trainings on environmental protection and behaviour of these mammals, teaching students how to recognize factors that may lead to elephants attacking people and ways to improve peaceful coexistence.

The training program addressed to adults broadly covered the topic of safe conduct when encountering these mammals. Its aim was to increase awareness and sensitivity to the need of preserving biodiversity and to stimulate discussion on possible solutions to the existing conflict.

Construction of agricultural fences

Polish aid finances the design and construction of various types of fences to protect farmlands against elephant incursions. One of the types of fences are those on which hives inhabited by bees are placed. Elephants are afraid of these insects and prefer to avoid contact with them. When they encounter fences with hives they return to areas where they can move freely. An additional advantage is the expansion of beekeeping in the region and the opportunity of getting additional income through the production of, among others, honey, wax and propolis.

Due to the relatively high cost of hives and the terrain features (e.g. flooded areas and sparsely wooded areas), an innovative method is being tested, which involves installing fences with metal hangers that reflect sunlight and, when moved, make noise that scares the elephants away. Another method is to erect fences with solar strobe lights, installed at adult eye level, which are activated when the elephant approaches them.

Protecting an area that is key to global biodiversity

The purpose of fences is not to limit the area to which elephants have access or to deprive animals the chance to move freely. Their positioning is intended to direct animals to the migration corridor that is currently being created. It will enable the movement of animals between the Udzungwa Forest and Nyerere National Park in a way that will not cause damage to crops. It also protects elephants from retaliatory actions by injured farmers and poachers. Fruit trees, attractive to these mammals, will be planted within the corridor.

Support for village savings groups and loan associations

With the support of Polish resources, mutual aid associations are being developed in order to provide protection against crop losses caused by elephants. Additionally, in rural areas where access to commercial loans is limited, they enable financing of non-agricultural activities and thus independence from farming. They also allow farmers to survive the period when the prices offered for their crops are low.