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New problem for elephants - 9th April 2021

Tolstoy the elephant wanders southern Kenya. He hasn't had the easiest life.

He has survived hunters. And he has lived through water shortages. Now, he has a new enemy: avocados.

In recent years, this healthy fruit has become more popular in rich countries. Farming business KiliAvo Fresh wants to grow avocados in Kenya.

Last year, it purchased land from the local Maasai people. The government allowed KiliAvo to plant avocados on the land.

But environmental charities are worried about the effect on elephants. Daniel Ole Sambu works for the Big Life Foundation. He says elephants need the land to have babies.

Daniel: “There are two farms there, and both of them are exactly in the middle of a wildlife dispersal area. Some of this, we have recorded some of this area has been used by elephant as maternity. You know, they come out of the park, outside the park, give birth there, and then they go back when they, they the calf, calf are good, enough to walk. So when we, we do a large farm there, then it means we are going to lose that space. The elephant has to find another space.”

Avocados have been good for Kenya's economy. But many people are angry about KiliAvo's plans for the huge new farm.

Samuel Kaanki is worried that even more land will become avocado farms.

Samuel: “If we lose this land, if, if KiliAvo will be allowed to continue, we will lose others. We have so many others people who are waiting. So it is dangerous. If we lose this, we will lose so many.”

At the moment, the government is reviewing KiliAvo's plans. But the company is continuing to plant avocados.