Did you know…elephants are afraid of bees? It’s true! Disney animal experts have been able to prove it and use that knowledge to help save elephants through a unique project in Kenya called Elephants and Bees.
Elephants are one of 10 animals highlighted in the Disney Conservation Fund’s “Reverse the Decline, Increase the Time” philanthropic initiative that aims to help save at-risk wildlife as well as inspire children to spend more time in nature so they will care for the planet.
Working with Save the Elephants (STE), Disney has helped reduce conflicts between elephants and humans so they can co-exist in areas where elephants often invade farms to raid crops. With the understanding that elephants fear bees, STE created beehive fences, which help local farmers protect their livelihood and maintain their crops.
For the past 10 years, Walt Disney World Cast Members have traveled to Kenya to provide expertise and help lead studies with STE. The STE team has also received conservation grants from the Disney Conservation Fund in support of their efforts.
At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Guests can participate in Connect to Protect, a mobile adventure in which they take part in conservation ‘missions’ with a digital scientist while exploring Pandora – The World of Avatar and help protect the habitats of the 10 Reverse the Decline animals here on Earth. Guests have used their adventures and their votes to unlock a $100,000 contribution from Disney Parks to help protect habitats for elephants in Kenya.
You can see elephants on Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and learn more about the Elephants and Bees project by checking out elephantsandbees.com, taking part in the new Caring for Giants experience at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and visiting DisneyAnimals.com.
