Elephants have a specific 'bee alarm' call to warn their herd of nearby honeybees.

Research led by Dr. Lucy King from Oxford University and Save the Elephants has documented that African elephants (Loxodonta africana) produce a distinct infrasonic rumble when they encounter bees. A study published in the journal PLOS ONE in 2010 revealed that elephants not only flee when they hear the sound of disturbed bees but also emit a specific vocalization that warns others to do the same. This 'bee rumble' is different from their 'human alarm' call, showing a sophisticated level of communication.The vulnerability of elephants to bees is concentrated in areas where their skin is thinnest, such as the tip of the trunk, the ears, and around the eyes. A swarm of African honeybees can be aggressive and may even enter an elephant's trunk to sting the sensitive internal membranes. This creates a powerful evolutionary incentive for elephants to avoid these insects at all costs.To leverage this natural fear, the Elephants and Bees Project was launched in 2009 to help mitigate human-wildlife conflict. By installing 'beehive fences' around small-scale farms in Kenya, researchers found that crop-raiding incidents were reduced by over 80 percent. The fences consist of hives suspended every 10 meters and connected by a wire. When an elephant attempts to push through, the hives swing and disturb the bees, prompting the herd to retreat immediately.This method provides a sustainable solution that benefits both parties. Farmers protect their livelihoods without resorting to violence, while also gaining a secondary source of income through 'Elephant-Friendly Honey' production. The success of this initiative has led to its adoption in several other countries across Africa and Asia, including Tanzania, Uganda, and Sri Lanka.