UPDATES FROM THE FIELD, Save Elephants with Bees

It’s been exactly 3 months today since 36 beehives were installed on the boundaries of Arusha National Park and the village of Nkwasenga in Tanzania, thanks to your precious and generous donations.

I’m sure that all of you want to know how the project is going so I’m very pleased to share news from the field!

On the 10th April 2021, Moses went to check on the 36 beehives that were installed on the 12th January with a hired motorbike (7h return journey on rough roads). We sent the money needed for this trip the week before. This was possible with the monthly donations that some of you are kindly sending for the beehives maintenance.

Moses and his staff member hired a motorbike to visit the 36 beehives

Ideally, Moses would go to check the 36 beehives 4 times a month with his staff and this costs $87 for each trip, or $350 per month.

Why this amount you may ask? Here’s the breakdown costs:

- $40: van hire for a full day. Distance from AFeWiS office to the beehives is 40km.

- $30: car fuel

- $7: crude oil, which is poisonous for keeping away bad insects destroying the poles and killing spiders

- $10: lunch for the team

This is for a team of four people. Their work is to open the beehives, clean them up in and out to make sure they are safe. Bee's always attack them while working, Moses tells me.

Any amount help so if you can, could you consider donating £5 to £10 a month? Click the donate button in the menu bar of this website.

The beehives sponsored by you and Wild & Free

Now here are the updates about the beehives:

- Some beehives were invaded by poisonous insects. They have now been cleaned.

- 24 beehives are active with bees

- 12 beehives are still empty

Beehive opened and ready to be cleaned

Cleaning a beehive

Insects have come inside the beehive

Farmers are currently growing crops such as maize and beans. There are fewer problems with human wildlife conflict reported by the farmers because the smell caused by bees keeps wild animals away. There are less elephants coming close to the village. Moses is still studying the trend on elephants and will update me within the next 2 weeks.

Checking the beehive

And if you wonder about honey, the first production can be expected after 5 to 6 months, so we are hoping to have some good news by July.

Can you see the bees?

Please continue to help us save African elephants by sponsoring a beehive directly from the shop.

I hope you can be part of this wonderful project too, and if you have any question, please check the campaign or contact me.

Geraldine