This is the moment scared elephants fled from swarms of bees at a game reserve in Kenya.

Farmers have introduced beehives on the borders of their farmland to stop errant elephants trampling over their crops.

The method is so effective because the enormous animals are terrified of being stung around their eyes or inside their trunks.

Cowering: The enormous elephants rest under a tree before running away from the swarm of bees

Escape: The elephants run from the scene because they are terrified of being stung by the bees

As well as protecting farms from marauding elephants, the bees help to pollinate crops and produce honey

Video footage shows elephants in Samburu Game Reserve at rest before the sound of the swarm sends them running.

The bees serve a double purpose for the farmers, because as well as protecting their farms from marauding elephants, they also help to pollinate the crops and produce honey, which can be sold.

Dr Lucy King, leader of the project, said: 'The elephants and bees project has been an innovative study using in-depth understanding of elephant behaviour to reduce damage from crop-raiding elephants using their instinctive avoidance of African honey bees.

'The project explores the use of novel beehive fences as a natural elephant deterrent, creating a social and economic boost to poverty-stricken rural communities through pollination services and sustainable harvesting of elephant-friendly honey.'

Using bees is so effective because the elephants are scared of being stung around their eyes or in their trunks

Prevention: In Mwambiti village, farmers have been introducing beehives on the borders of their farmland