Summer Field Report: New Tools, Stronger Foundations, and Shared Learning
Expanding the Coexistence Toolkit
A beehive fence can redirect elephants from one farm. A watchtower may give another family time to react. Buzz Boxes, chili deterrents, metal strip fences, and changes to crops or water access each address different risks.
Recent events in Kenya show how high the stakes are. By mid-August, at least 19 elephants had died in the Amboseli ecosystem. Preliminary tests detected cyanide in some animals, but the cause and source remain under investigation. The deaths have drawn renewed attention to the risks elephants face where farms, water sources, and wildlife routes meet.
Earlier this year, APW’s Human-Elephant Coexistence team joined Save the Elephants in Kenya to study how these tools are selected, combined, and maintained. Elephant routes, farm layout, available materials, cost, and community priorities all influence which methods are most likely to work over time. Back in Tanzania, team members are now sharing what they learned with local officers and communities.
We are grateful to the partners and supporters who make this continued learning possible. The best responses are developed on the ground, guided by local knowledge and each community’s circumstances.
From the Field
The Mswakini honey processing center is taking shape. A recycled shipping container has been connected to a revamped existing building with new covered porches at the front and back, creating space for beekeepers to process honey to high standards, develop products, and sell on-site.
In recent weeks, the structure has received a fresh coat of paint, uniting the new and existing elements. The women have also just received the land title deed—an important step that strengthens the group’s foundation for the future. Once complete, the center will welcome safari visitors, connecting customers directly with the women building Mama Asali’s growing honey businesses.
New Annual Report: Built for This
When elephants enter farms after dark, lions attack livestock, or when a dry season puts new pressure on pasture, local teams must act with the knowledge, relationships, and tools already within reach.
Built for This, the African People & Wildlife 2025 Annual Report, highlights these pivotal moments when communities respond, adapt, and drive meaningful change.
In Greater Mkomazi, reports of elephants raiding crops dropped by 58% during the busiest conflict months compared to the same time in 2024. Longer-term data from Greater Lake Natron show that livestock attacks at pasture decreased by 41.9%, and attempts to kill carnivores in retaliation decreased by 84%.
The new report offers a closer look at the people and systems making measurable progress possible. View and download your copy today.
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Worth a Closer Look
One Story, For Generations
For the 2026 International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, Alais Ole-Morindat shares memories of herding with his father, noticing changes in the land, and learning to care for both livestock and wildlife. His story connects today’s rangeland choices to generations of pastoral wisdom.
A Wider View of Wildlife Movement
The new Transboundary Corridor Atlas for the SOKNOT Landscape gathers information on 24 wildlife corridors in southern Kenya and northern Tanzania. APW was among the contributors to this resource, which was led by the Center for Large Landscape Conservation, along with WWF and other partners.
A New Measure of Courage
A new Positive News feature tells the story of Saitoti, who went from being a young Maasai warrior to a respected Warrior for Wildlife. It also introduces Elvis Kisimir, who recently received the Diane Skinner Unsung Heroes in Conservation Award, and shows how each generation is continuing this important work.
