Use of electric fencing and associated measures as deterrents to jaguar predation on cattle in the Pantanal of Brazil.

Published source details Cavalcanti S.M., Crawshaw P.G. & Tortato F.R. (2012) Use of electric fencing and associated measures as deterrents to jaguar predation on cattle in the Pantanal of Brazil. Pages 295-309 in: M.J. Somers & M.W. Hayward (eds.) Fencing for Conservation. Restriction of Evolutionary Potential or a Riposte to Threatening Processes? Springer, New York, NY.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Install electric fencing to reduce predation of livestock by mammals to reduce human-wildlife conflict Action Link

Install electric fencing to reduce predation of livestock by mammals to reduce human-wildlife conflict

A before-and-after study in 2006–2008 in a grassland-dominated cattle ranch in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil (Cavalcanti et al. 2012) found that after upgrading non-electric fences to become electric fences, a smaller percentage (but larger overall quantity) of cattle losses was due to killings by jaguars Panthera onca. These results were not tested for statistical significance. One year after upgrading fences to electric, 10% (50 of 504) of cattle losses were attributed to killings by jaguars. During the two years before non-electric fences were replaced by electric fences 24–85% (11 of 46 in one year and 24 of 28 in the other) of losses were attributed to killings by jaguars. The study was conducted on a 900-ha farm, fenced with five non-electrified wires at heights of 25, 50, 75, 100 and 125 cm. In February 2008, a 13,745-m perimeter fence was supplemented with two electrified wires (5,000–7,000 V), 25 and 50 cm above the ground. About 630 m of the fence was not electrified. Predation losses in the two years before the electric fence was installed were reported by farmers. After the electric fence was installed, losses were recorded by researchers.

(Summarised by: Ricardo Rocha)