An entrepreneurial student at Exeter University's Penryn campus is part of a pioneering project aiming to save elephants in Africa, using the power of bees.

Emma Vicary, a former student and member of staff at Truro and Penwith College, is currently a team leader of the Bee Elephant Enterprise (BEE) Project aimed at combating the steadily declining elephant population in Africa.

The project is fundraising to go to Kenya next summer to build beehive fences around farmland in the village of Rakhasi, where elephants are seen on average three times a week. Beehive fences are an effective elephant deterrent as elephants are naturally afraid of bees. The project will also teach farmers business skills to enable them to sell honey and honey products as extra income, with the ultimate aim of helping the farmers become sustainable by forming a co-operative.

Emma, who is currently studying for a BSc in zoology at Penryn, is part of a team of five and is primarily involved with overseeing the running of the project and organising the trip to Kenya. She said: “With my career aims at the end of my degree, this project really spoke to me. I want to focus on conservation and helping people to live in their environment while avoiding conflict.”

Emma, from Redruth, studied the access to higher education science course at Truro College, which prepared her for progression on to her chosen degree where she was able to get involved with the project. Truro and Penwith College is the first organisation to sign up in support of the project. Emma and the team are initially seeking sponsorship to fund 48 beehives to protect a four acre farm in Rakhasi, with a single beehive costing just £40. Potential sponsors can contact Emma on emv207@exeter.ac.uk or visit their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/beeelephantenterprise.

The BEE Project is a student run project which is part of the Enactus Society at the University of Exeter (Penryn Campus). The society is a community of student, academic and business leaders committed to using the power of entrepreneurial action to transform lives and shape a better, more sustainable world.