wildlifefriendlyfencing, wildlife friendly fencing
There have been no studies on the relative effectiveness of various methods of fencing and their wildlife-friendliness, though from experience we do know:
1. The top strand of barbed wire is most often involved in entanglements of bat and gliders, but that they can also be caught on lower strands, as well as more than one strand.
2. Fences that are new, on ridge lines, near feeding trees, or over water are more often reported as entangling bats.

Photo:Jenny Maclean 2 Little Red flying foxes caught on a fence about 100metres upstream from the colony.

We also have very little information about visual deterrents, apart from anecdotal accounts of success in a few instances and the theory that if we can make fences more visible animals will avoid them. We need to find products that are harmless to livestock, cheap, easy to put on fences, durable, visible and if possible audible in windy conditions.

Photo:Jenny Maclean Buff-banded Rail		Photo:Louise Saunders Flying fox caught on 3 strands of barbed wire.

It will be difficult to evaluate WFF modifications where there is no accurate history of entanglements prior to modification. How to decide which fences to modify? We’d suggest prioritizing in this order:
1. Any fence with a known history of entanglement
2. Any new fence
3. Any fence is a recognised hotspot ie. over water, on ridge lines, near feed trees
Read the case studies and go to WFF Guidelines for ideas on how to assess your individual situation.

We welcome your ideas on wildlife friendly fencing (WFF), especially if you are landowners with fencing responsibilities. We need case studies that demonstrate which WFF methods work and don’t work to contain cattle, sheep and other livestock in various landscapes. Please fill out a Fencing Form or send us an email with your ideas, or try some of the ideas mentioned on the website and report back to us.
wildlifefriendlyfencing,wildlife friendly fencing