Ogooué-Ivindo province uses electric fences to mitigate human-elephant conflict

This initiative, the largest national deployment, aims to protect crops, enhance food security, and revitalize agricultural activity. The province had previously faced significant disruptions from elephant incursions, leading to frustration and protests, such as an "operation dead city" in Mékambo in 2021 and a road blockade in Batouala in April 2023. These actions prompted a stronger public response, with authorities strengthening preventive solutions following consultations and national forums in 2021.

Since 2022, the Ministry of Water and Forests has collaborated with the NGO Space for Giants to deploy these solar-powered fences, which deter elephants without harming them. The fences have improved food security for 5,541 people in Ogooué-Ivindo, which leads Gabon's nine provinces in deployment. The positive impact is evident in villages like Lata, where residents have returned and resumed agricultural activities, and in Makokou, where local produce like cassava and bananas are more available in markets.

This protection is stimulating the rural economy, with some farmers considering forming cooperatives to transition from subsistence farming to income-generating activities. Despite the current calm, nearly 300 requests for fences remain in the province, indicating continued demand. The national program, fu