South Luangwa Conservation Society and Elefence
Have Agreed to a Combined Chilli Pepper Fence Project
Spicy snack not to elephants' liking… 
In July an elephant killed a villager near the South Luangwa Conservation Society (SLCS) Anti-poaching Operations Base while Dick Houston was in Zambia. This is but one incident to reveal the very real dangers facing the villagers and farmers who live close to South Luangwa National Park. Because of the villager's death, an elephant will most likely be killed to appease the anger of the local people. The elephant to be shot will not necessarily be the one that killed the villager.
The human-wildlife conflict is one of Zambia's fastest growing problems. In fact, the problem is growing at an alarming rate all over Africa as farmlands encroach faster and faster into former wildlife lands.
Ironically the answer to controlling human-elephant conflict may be found in nature herself: the chilli pepper plant! Elephants do not like the spicy-heat of capsaicin , the chemical in chillis that makes them so hot. This is why we are beginning to build fences made of chilli peppers.
The chilli fence is made by attaching sisal rope around locally made poles. The sisal is coated with a mixture of crushed dried chilli, used engine oil, and grease. The string must be recoated every two weeks to keep the fence working.
Through active chilli fence building around the croplands , maintenance, and daily monitoring of elephant movements and responses to the fences, the SLCS-Elefence Chilli Pepper Project is designed to help discourage elephants from raiding the farmers' crops. It is to fulfill our mission to safeguard the people , safeguard the wildlife without fencing in the elephants!
Three villages in a game management area that borders the park have been selected as premiere sites for fence construction in the first phase of the SLCS-Elephant project.
Both active and passive methods must be used for maximum success in discouraging the raiding elephants. The villagers place briquettes made with the chillis and dried elephant dung around the croplands. When the elephants begin to move towards the fields, the farmers ignite the briquettes. The pungent smoke emitting from the briquettes will further deter the elephants from crop raiding.
Elephants are sensitive to loud noises. Villagers banging on tins or drums will also trigger unpleasant encounters with the chilli fence.
Photos and more details of the SLCS-Elefence Chilli Pepper Project will soon be added in our web up-dates.
FREE an elephant, BUILD a Chilli fence!!