Electrification of a fence to control the movements of black-backed jackals
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Published source details
Heard H.W. & Stephenson A. (1987) Electrification of a fence to control the movements of black-backed jackals. South African Journal of Wildlife Research, 17, 20-24.
Published source details Heard H.W. & Stephenson A. (1987) Electrification of a fence to control the movements of black-backed jackals. South African Journal of Wildlife Research, 17, 20-24.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Install electric fencing to reduce predation of livestock by mammals to reduce human-wildlife conflict Action Link |
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Install electric fencing to reduce predation of livestock by mammals to reduce human-wildlife conflict
A before-and-after study in 1983–1985 in a dry shrubland site in Cape Province, South Africa (Heard & Stephenson 1987) found that electrifying a fence reduced digging of burrows under the fence that could then be used by black-backed jackals Canis mesomelas to enter and predate livestock. Fewer holes were dug under the fence after it was electrified (0–11 holes/week) than before (17–87 holes/week). Where the digger could be identified, holes were dug by black-backed jackals, warthogs Phacochoerus africanus, porcupines Hystrix africaeaustralis, bushpigs Potamochoerus larvatus and antbears Orycteropus afer. A 13.75-km-long game fence, that shared a boundary with five farms, was electrified by adding electric wires 250 mm away from both sides of the fence, 200 mm above the ground. The fence was monitored weekly for burrows for 33 weeks before electrification (September 1983 to May 1984) and for 44 weeks after (August 1984 to June 1985).
(Summarised by: Rebecca F. Schoonover )
