National Geographic News, Reporting Your World Daily

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Photo: World's Hottest Chili Used as Elephant Repellent


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In northeastern India's Assam state wildlife experts are using a local delicacy—the Guinness Book of World Records' hottest chili—to prevent wild elephants (like those pictured in this photograph from of an Assam reserve on March 22, 2007) from harming humans or crops.

Experts say the elephants will be repelled by the smell of the bhut jolokia chilies. The animals won't ingest the chilies or be at all harmed, they say.

Similar programs have been used in south India and in Africa.

Photograph by Anupam Nath/AP