Elephants, the most destructive of all, routinely raided farms, trampling crops and threatening lives. Entire harvests were lost overnight, and with them, food security crumbled. Children became malnourished, families grew desperate, and the tension between humans and wildlife escalated into tragedy. At least 10 families lost their husbands, the primary breadwinners, in confrontations with elephants.

In retaliation, some community members resorted to poisoning the elephants, pushing the conflict to a dangerous edge. Efforts by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), such as digging trenches along the boundary, proved insufficient.

Elephants simply filled the trenches and continued to raid farms. Amidst this despair, WWF extended support to a group of widows, mobilized under the Katara Women Poverty Alleviation Group.

In partnership with UWA, WWF Uganda facilitated a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the community and park authorities. This allowed for the sustainable use of natural resources within designated park buffer zones. One of the most impactful innovations was training the group to use elephant dung to make paper, a symbolic and practical shift in mindset from conflict to conservation.

From this paper, they began crafting artisanal products such as bags, photo frames, and notebooks, generating income while fostering appreciation for the very animals they once feared.

UWA allocated 50 meters of park land for a fire line, which the community now maintains. Grass harvested from this area is used for thatching, mulching, and building, providing another valuable, sustainable resource.

One of the most transformative nature-based solutions has been the introduction of apiaries. WWF supported the Katara Women Poverty Alleviation Group with 850 beehives installed along a 10-kilometer stretch of the park boundary. The hives serve as a natural barrier, deterring elephants from crossing into farmland, while creating new income streams. Today, over 83 community members produce honey, wax candles, propolis, venom, and even wine, earning an estimated UGX 15 million (USD 4,214) annually. Beyond protecting crops, bees also boost pollination, which improves yields and strengthens household food security.

Recent UWA statistics confirm a marked reduction in elephant incursions and crop raids in Katara following the installation of beehive barriers. The once-frequent wildlife confrontations that led to loss of life and retaliatory killings have significantly reduced, signaling a major breakthrough in promoting coexistence between communities and wildlife.