Elephant-Proof Maize Storage in the Lumimba GMA
Tags: Community, Zambia
Implementing Partner: Conservation South Luangwa
Elephant-proof maize storages
Maize is the staple food in the villages around Luambe National Park. As in many other African countries, maize or corn cobs harvested in Zambia are traditionally stored in small wooden storage huts. A common problem: elephants gain access to the stored corn by knocking over or trampling on the corn stores, usually at night. When attempting to mitigate the damage, residents repeatedly expose themselves to dangerous situations.
These human-wildlife conflicts put farmers in dire straits – food shortages, reduced revenue or even danger to life and limb – they also contribute to the growing rejection of conservation measures and increasing retaliatory attacks on elephants.
A gentle way to prevent the animals from accessing the stored maize is to build elephant-proof corn stores. Unlike the traditional huts, these are made of cement and have a heavy lid and a small lockable door that reliably protects against plundering by elephants.
Caring for Conservation has donated several of these elephant-proof corn granaries, which Conservation South Luangwa’s Human-Wildlife Conflict Team has been commissioned to build in the buffer zone between Luambe National Park and Chitungulu Village.
