Jasper Doest's Image

Jasper Doest (the Netherlands) highlights the coexistence of humans and wildlife as elephants march down a lane.

These elephants have come from the nearby Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, near Victoria Falls.

Elephants raiding crops is an issue for locals. Wildlife rangers have worked with the Livingstone community on ways to deter the elephants.

Together they have dug trenches around fields to prevent intrusions by the elephants. One conservationist devised a strategy of ‘beehive fences’, which deter elephants because the animals are nervous of the insects.

How you can help

• Help fight climate change. Elephants need a lot of space, water and food including leaves, grasses, fruits and trees. Climate change is reducing the availability of food and water, driving elephants closer to human settlements to seek alternative resources. To limit future damage from climate change, explore things you can do to help the planet.
• Watch out for ivory. The illegal ivory trade is responsible for huge numbers of elephant deaths each year. Take care not to buy any products made from ivory to reduce demand and ensure you’re not contributing to this destructive activity.
• Help elephants and humans coexist peacefully. Support charities and governments working to reduce conflict between the two species. Find out more about how humans can live alongside elephants