Wildlife friendly fences allow animals to jump over or safely crawl under them, reducing the risk of animals getting caught in a wire twist. It is strongly recommended that fences do not have any barbed wire. However, if barbed wire must be used, it is best not to place it on the top two strands of the fence, as that is where most injuries to wildlife occur. The bottom line of plain wire should be slightly looser to allow for the movement of animals underneath the fence.
What is the main problem with conventional fencing?
Every year, thousands of animals become entangled in fences across Australia, leading to severe injuries or death. Over 75 wildlife species have been identified as regular victims of entanglement on barbed wire fences including bats, sugar gliders, owls, koalas and kangaroos. Impenetrable fences, such as hinge joint or exclusion fences, can prevent wildlife movement in the landscape leading to the isolation and potential extinction of native populations. It is critical to understand the negative impact of conventional fencing on our wildlife, and it’s our responsibility to adopt wildlife-friendly fencing practices to mitigate these effects.
Fences that cause problems for wildlife often:
- have barbed wire
- are too high or low to navigate
- have loose wires (except the bottom wire)
- have wires spaced too closely together
- are difficult for animals or birds to see, and
- create an impenetrable barrier.
How can you ensure fences are wildlife friendly?
Customised gates, such as one-way gates, can be installed to facilitate the movement of native animals. When constructing a new fence, the design should include:
- multi-strand high tensile plain wire (5 or 6 lines)
- avoid placing barbed wire on the top two strands if it must be used
- a loose bottom wire 30 cm above the ground
- posts at 5 m intervals
- fence height around 90 cm.
As a solution for existing fences, increasing the visibility or concealing the top barbed wire can effectively reduce wildlife injury. This can be achieved by using:
- poly pipe to conceal top barbed wire
- metal tags or reflective tags at a minimum of 30 cm intervals
- replacing the barb wire with plain wire
A canopy bridge or koala bridge placed along a fence line can provide wildlife with easy access to essential habitats and enables them to move freely across the landscape. Additionally, a timber post or log can be leaned against an existing fence near the koalas’ natural path to support their movement. Maintaining existing trees near the fence can also help to facilitate the movement of animals.
What to do if you see an animal trapped in a fence?
If you find an animal entangled, the best course of action is put on some gloves and use a towel or cloth to carefully hold the animal still and keep it calm. Place the animal in a box with a breathable cover and place the box in a quiet and cool place. Leave a shallow dish with water in the box (do not force-feed the animals with water or food). Contact a local wildlife carer or vet immediately.
WIRES 24/7 Emergency Hotline: 1300 094 737
