Afr J Ecol. 2020;00:1–6. wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/aje | 1 © 2020 John Wiley & Sons Ltd Received: 25 June 2019 | Revised: 19 June 2020 | Accepted: 9 October 2020 DOI: 10.1111/aje.12821 SHORT COMMUNICATION Metal strip fences for preventing African elephant (Loxodonta africana) crop foraging in the Kasigau Wildlife Corridor, Kenya R. Lynn Von Hagen 1 | Simon Kasaine 2 | Mwangi Githiru 2 | Bernard Amakobe 2 | Urbanus N. Mutwiwa 3 | Bruce A. Schulte 1 1 Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY, USA 2 Wildlife Works, Voi, Kenya 3 Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya Correspondence: R. Lynn Von Hagen, Western Kentucky University, 1906 College Heights Blvd, Bowling Green, KY 42101, USA. Email: lvonhagen@comcast.net Present address R. Lynn Von Hagen, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA Funding information Western Kentucky University; The Earthwatch Institute; The International Elephant Foundation 1 | INTRODUCTION Human wildlife conflicts (HWC) occur whenever wildlife and peo- ple have negative interactions, often in competition over resources (Decker & Chase, 1997; Madden & McQuinn, 2014; Songhurst, 2017; Treves et al., 2006). By expanding agricultural farming areas, increas- ing areas of human settlements, and fragmenting wildlife habitats, humans have disrupted the natural foraging and movement of wild- life. These anthropogenic disturbances bring people and wildlife into contact, sometimes resulting in conflicts (Githiru et al., 2017; Nyirenda et al., 2011; Seoraj-Pillai & Pillay, 2017). Given the de- cline in African savannah elephant (Loxodonta africana) populations (Chase et al., 2016; Douglas-Hamilton, 1987; Wittemyer et al., 2014), conservation efforts are focused on means to promote sustainable coexistence between people and elephants. Elephants frequently reduce agricultural yields by foraging on crops (Chiyo et al., 2005; Sitati et al., 2003), which can compromise the livelihoods of local people and result in resentment and often risky retaliation towards elephants (Desai & Riddle, 2015; Graham et al., 2012; Lee, 2010; Naughton-Treves & Treves, 2005; Smith & Kasiki, 2000). Successful, sustainable deterrents for rural farmers should sat- isfy three criteria: affordability, practicality and effectiveness (Von Hagen, 2018). To assess which deterrent methods types would fit these criteria, we tested four deterrents that could be constructed with locally available resources at reasonable costs and measured which had the highest efficacy. • Acacia fence: farmers traditionally place acacia branches around their crops to deter incursions from grazers (Chang’a et al., 2015; McKnight, 2004). To our knowledge, the efficacy of acacia branches as an elephant deterrent has not been assessed. While readily available, acacia is often taken from wild lands which can be detrimental to ecosystem function and the food base for wild- life, exacerbating crop raiding. • Chilli pepper fence: this uses capsaicin (the active component in chilli peppers) to stimulate the trigeminal nerve, causing irrita- tion to the mucus membranes and other sensitive areas of ele- phants (Le Bel et al., 2010; Osborn & Rasmussen, 1995). Mixtures of crushed chilli peppers and engine oil are applied to ropes and cloths and erected to form a fence, which has been shown to be an effective deterrent in some areas (Chang’a et al., 2016; Karidozo & Osborn, 2015). While chilli peppers can be purchased in local markets and used motor oil is readily available, construction of these fences can be labour intensive with potential detrimental impacts of introducing oil into the environment. • Kasaine metal strip fence: though fences using metal pieces have been used, none have standardised construction as done by Mr. Simon Kasaine, one of the co-authors on this communication, or tested the efficacy. The fence is composed of strips cut from light weight, locally available, galvanised iron sheets and strung on binding wire attached to fence posts. When the wind blows or the fence is contacted, the strips clatter together sounding like a raucous wind chime and can also reflect sun or moon light.