Electric Fence Research Articles

On the fence: The impact of education on support for electric fencing to prevent conflict between humans and baboons in Kommetjie, South Africa.

On the fence: The impact of education on support for electric fencing to prevent conflict between humans and baboons in Kommetjie, South Africa.

Human‐wildlife conflicts in communities bordering a Savannah‐Fenced wildlife conservancy

AbstractWe discuss various human‐wildlife conflicts (HWC) inherent within communities bordering a mid‐sized, semi‐porous wildlife conservancy in Kenya. HWC are a growing issue as human population expands into wildlife habitat to put people and wildlife in more frequent contact and compete for scarce resources. In 2018, we surveyed the crop‐raiding and livestock depredation experiences of 918 households from 10 separate villages and asked about the experiences of the villagers with HWC over the past 3 years. These communities are protected from wildlife with two different fence designs, a standard 12‐strand electrical fence, and an upgraded predator‐proof fence design. We found that between 70% and 91% of respondents had experienced some form of HWC including 39.5% who reported threats to their person from wildlife encroachments despite electrical perimeter fencing. HWC happened more often at night and during the dry seasons. The most common encroachments were from elephants, hyenas, leopards, and baboons. Community respondents rated that the upgraded predator‐proof fences performed better than the standard 12‐strand fences. However, even the predator‐proof design had issues with keeping monkeys from entering the communities and crop raiding. We discuss potential mitigation measures, including an improved predator‐proof fencing design that incorporates butterfly stingers that may offer better protection.

Spatio-temporal patterns of human-wildlife conflicts and effectiveness of mitigation in Shuklaphanta National Park, Nepal.

Human-wildlife interactions occur where human and wildlife coexist and share common resources including food or shelter. Increasing wildlife populations within protected areas also can increase interactions with humans living adjacent to these areas, resulting in conflicts including human casualty, livestock depredation, crop damage, and property loss. We analyzed six years human-wildlife conflict data from 2016-2021 in the buffer zone of Shuklaphanta National Park and conducted questionnaire survey to investigate factors influencing human-wildlife conflicts. Nineteen people were attacked by wildlife, primarily wild boar (Sus scrofa). Ninety-two livestock were killed by leopard (Panthera pardus), and among these most were sheep or goats killed near ShNP during summer. Crops were most frequently damaged by Asian elephants (Elephas maximus), followed by wild boar. Greatest economic losses were from damage to rice, followed by sugarcane and wheat. Asian elephant was the only reported species to cause structural damage to property (e.g., homes). Majority of respondents (83%) considered that the mitigation techniques that are currently in practice are effective to reduce the conflicts. However, the effectiveness of the mitigation techniques are the species specific, we recommend use of more efficacious deterrents (e.g., electric fencing) for large herbivores and mesh wire fencing with partially buried in the ground. Effective collaboration among different tiers of government, non-governmental organizations, civil societies and affected communities are important to share the best practices and continue to apply innovative methods for impactful mitigation of human-wildlife conflicts in the region.

Shocking wildlife casualty levels from electric fences

Shocking wildlife casualty levels from electric fences

Farmer Friendly Solar Electric Fence

Farmer Friendly Solar Electric Fence

People’s Perceptions of Human Elephant Conflict (HEC) and The Existence of Sumatran Elephants at CRU Sampoiniet Aceh Jaya, Indonesia

The increase in the human population has an impact on the expansion of the agricultural and plantation sectors. This causes a decrease in the amount of forest area which results in conflicts between humans and elephants. The purpose of the study was to determine the people's perception of the Sumatran elephant conflict and to determine the existence of male Sumatran elephants. The research was conducted in August 2022 at CRU Sampoiniet, Ie Jeureungeh village, Aceh Jaya district, Aceh province. The research method is descriptive qualitative and focal animal sampling. Data was collected by means of interviews, observation, and documentation. The results of the study revealed that the conflict between wild elephants had decreased since the existence of the CRU Sampoiniet who helped overcome the wild elephant conflict in the village area of ​​Ie Jeureungeh, however, currently there are still some minor disturbances and have an impact on the surrounding community. Some people want the environment around their plantations to be bordered by elephants through electric fences. Based on the results of observations, there are two types of feed provided by the manager and consumed by the tame elephants, namely sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica), cogon grass (Imperata cylindrica).

Movement Choices of Persecuted Caracals on Farmlands in South Africa

Landscapes used for livestock agriculture are common worldwide and have the potential for wildlife-human conflict, particularly when carnivores prey on livestock. Identifying habitat features that influence carnivore movements in livestock areas can help mitigate conflict. The caracal (Caracal caracal) is a common mesopredator on farms in southern Africa. We used Step Selection Functions to identify habitat selection of Global Positioning System collared male caracal (n = 8) along their movement paths on private farmlands in a semiarid region of South Africa. In the wet season, some caracals selected rugged terrain but high elevations were avoided by certain individuals. Electric fences were avoided, whereas some animals moved close to farm buildings. Many caracals selected shrubland and avoided main roads, but the opposite movement choices were documented for some individuals. Plowed fields were consistently avoided. In the dry season, caracal movements were similar to those recorded in the wet season, but there was greater variability in individual choices. On the basis of model averaging, caracals appeared to move closer to electric fences in the dry season, but such patterns were not significant from individual-level analyses. Because some caracals avoided, whereas others selected, the same habitats or anthropogenic features and model averaging could not detect those differences, we recommend that whenever possible, individual movement choices of predators are assessed. For caracals and other carnivores that prey on livestock, understanding the ecology of individuals as opposed to exclusively population-level habitat choices may be more informative for conflict mitigation.

Chosen Mechanical Properties of Electric Tape Fences

This research is focused on electric tape fencing, particularly of fast-moving animals, especially horses. The mechanical behavior of electric fences is of great importance. On the one hand, the fence should be durable enough, but, on the other hand, it should break if a livestock gets spooked and decides to run through to not cause harm to the animal. Main goal of this study is, therefore, to analyze mechanical properties of different electric tape fences during tensile stress and to propose suitable rheological model useful both for describing mechanical behavior and for predicting properties of electric tape fences. The mechanical behavior of electric fences was examined through two main experimental tests: (a) quasi-static tests to gain the full stress/strain responses of the electric tape in tension and (b) dynamic and stress–relaxation tests to characterize the electric tape fence viscoelasticity. It was found out that strength of electric tape fences is directly dependent on total cross-section area of monofilaments, whereas stiffness coefficients and plasticity limits were also studied. Based on the detailed findings from both types of tension tests, a rheological model of the electric fence was proposed. The results show that the model appropriately describes the experimentally obtained data.

Electric Fences for Dockless Bike-Sharing Systems: An Electric Fence-Planning Framework for a Dockless Bike-Sharing System Based on a Land Parcel Subdivision and Regional Coverage Maximization

Dockless bike sharing (DBS) is convenient for bike users because it can solve their last-mile problems. However, dockless bikes that are disorderly parked in public spaces can disturb normal traffic. In planning electric fences for DBS systems, the maximum coverage location problem (MCLP) identifies locations suitable for electric fences. However, the MCLP model ignores the regional boundaries of bike use and causes substantial errors in coverage assessments. In this article, we present a novel framework for planning electric fences, accounting for both trip distribution and area shapes. We first introduce a dynamic land parcel subdivision algorithm, which can reasonably divide the city into fine-scale regions concerning the distributions of spatial parking demands. Then, we formulate the electric fence-planning problem as a regional coverage maximization problem. We develop an accelerated maximum coverage model with complementary coverage (MCMCC) to locate electric fence areas, which can improve solution accuracy and reliability. The DBS data of Shenzhen, China, are used to validate the framework. The study findings indicate that MCMCC produces more robust and accurate results than the MCLP model because the planning solutions are not affected by changes in the shapes and sizes of the regions. The framework can also automatically and accurately determine electric fence capacities and locations.

Optimized Monitoring and Conservation of Farmland Bird Species through Bayesian Modelling: The Montagu’s Harrier Circus pygargus Population in Central Italy

The Montagu’s harrier Circus pygargus is considered a rare species at the Italian level, and vulnerable at the European level. The main threat for these farmland birds is represented by agricultural practices; in fact, it nests on the ground in agricultural environments; therefore, at harvest time nests are often destroyed (with the eggs and chicks) by farm machinery. We examined the reproductive traits (clutch size, laying date, hatching, and fledging date and success) of the Montagu’s harrier population in central Italy (about 10% of its population in Italy) where nest protection has been implemented through electric fences and metallic meshes. By using a Bayesian probabilistic network, we modeled the sequence of events that determine its reproductive success (percentages of eggs hatched and chicks fledged) and simulated the effects of different environmental and management scenarios. Our model explained the hatching and fledging success with 90.20% and 95.12% accuracies, respectively. We found that crop type and height, laying date, type and delay of nest protection have specific effects on the reproductive success of this population. Our findings demonstrate that it is possible to optimize the monitoring of this population and significantly increase its reproductive success by acting selectively upon the environmental and management attributes of the breeding area. Our decision tool allowed us to produce several rules for the optimized monitoring and conservation of the Montagu’s harrier population in central Italy. The methodological approach proposed here is suitable for application to any farmland bird population on a local scale.

Factors influencing frequency and severity of human-American black bear conflicts in New York, USA.

Free-ranging large carnivores are involved in human-wildlife conflicts which can result in economic costs. Understanding factors that lead to human-wildlife conflicts is important to mitigate these negative effects and facilitate human-carnivore coexistence. We used a human-American black bear (Ursus americanus) conflict database maintained by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to determine whether drought, conflicts within the Adirondack and Catskill Parks as compared to outside of these parks, mild severity (Class 3) conflicts early in the year (April-June), and bear harvest in the previous year (as an index of bear abundance), were associated with greater frequency of high or moderate severity (Class 1-2) conflicts later in the year (July-September) across New York, USA. During 2006-2019, we obtained 3,782 mild severity conflict records early in the year, and 1,042 high or moderate severity records later in the year. We found that a one standard deviation increase in the cumulative precipitation difference from mean early in the year (about 7.59 cm) coincided with a 20% decrease in conflicts, and that Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) within the parks were predicted to have 5.61 times as many high or moderate severity conflicts as WMUs outside the parks. We also found that a one standard deviation increase in the frequency of mild severity conflicts (equivalent to 5.68 conflicts) early in the year coincided with an increase in the frequency of high or moderate severity conflicts in a WMU later in the year by 49%, while a one standard deviation increase in the bear abundance index in the previous year (0.14 bears/10 km2) coincided with a 23% increase in high or moderate severity conflicts. To reduce the frequency and severity of conflicts to facilitate human-black bear coexistence, we recommend the following measures to be taken in place consistently and build over time in local communities: (i) further reducing black bear access to anthropogenic foods and other attractants, (ii) non-lethal measures including bear-resistant waste management, (iii) electric fencing, and (iv) modifying placement or configuration of field crops.

Monkey Damage Management in Japan: A Case Study in Hyogo Prefecture, Western Japan

Agricultural damage caused by wild Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata) has become a serious problem in Japan. Residents have tried to protect their crop fields from monkey invasions, but the excellent physical and learning abilities of the monkeys have made the protection difficult. At present, many local governments are attempting to reduce the damage mainly through culling, but unplanned population management often results in over-culling, which consequently leads to local extinction. Here, I introduce a case study in Kami Town, Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, in which the local government simultaneously implemented three countermeasures: 1) organizing a monkey patrol group, 2) expanding inexpensive and easy-to-use electric fences, and 3) selective capturing of problem animals. After the implementation of these countermeasures, frequency of chasing away the monkeys around crop field (a total of 319 times in 2010 compared to less than 100 times in 2017) and amount of agricultural damage (2011: 2 925 000 JPY, 2017: 876 000 JPY) decreased. These results showed that in order to decrease agricultural damage while maintaining a stable monkey population, a combination of multiple countermeasures is a good solution, and methods applied in Kami Town should also be implemented in other areas where monkeys regularly damage crops.

Short-Term Forecasting of Dockless Bike-Sharing Demand with the Built Environment and Weather

To help related operators to allocate and dispatch the number of bike-sharing and provide good guidance for setting up electronic fences, this paper proposes a spatiotemporal graph convolution network prediction model (SGCNPM) with multiple factors to enhance the accuracy of predicting the demand for bike-sharing. First, we consider time, built environment, and weather. We use a multigraph convolution network (GCN) to model the built environment, utilize a long short-term memory (LSTM) network to extract temporal features, and utilize a fully connected network (FCN) to model weather influence. We construct SGCNPM which can effectively fuse GCN, LSTM, and FCN, thus creating a prediction method considering the influence of multiple factors. The results of the real case in Tianjin, China, show that the proposed model can perform well in improving prediction accuracy. Also, we analyze the influence of factors on model prediction results in different periods.

Sustainable development implications of human wildlife conflict: an analysis of subsistence farmers in Bhutan

ABSTRACT Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are part of 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SD) that aim to eradicate poverty, achieve economic prosperity, gender equality, ensure social well-being, promote sustainable management and use of natural resources, and protect the Earth’s natural ecosystems. However, the occurrence of human–wildlife conflict (HWC) may impair SDGs to be achieved in developing regions where people and wildlife cooccur frequently. Surprisingly, there are few studies which have examined how HWC impedes achievement of SDGs. This paucity of information hinders the formulation and implementation of appropriate policy actions to achieve SDGs. We explored how HWC impacts on the livelihoods of rural communities in Bhutan through SD lens. We used a mixed method research approach and interviewed a stratified-random sample of 96 farmers from four different regions of Bhutan. Wildlife impacts are multidimensional and can inhibit achievement of several SDGs. All interviewees suffered crop and livestock depredations with substantial economic losses. These losses were higher for female-headed households and those with low asset holding, compounding their vulnerability. Among the HWC adaptation measures, adopted guarding, vigilant livestock herding, and electric fences were perceived effective but were predominantly applied by households in high asset class. Policy actions should focus on female-headed households and those families with lower asset category to reduce negative impacts of human wildlife interactions.

Foreign body intrusion monitoring and recognition approach in a power distribution room based on the improved YOLOv4 deep learning network

In order to avoid safety problems caused by foreign bodies such as mice that may appear in the power distribution room and by demarcating the electronic fence area for key monitoring in the video surveillance screen, a foreign body intrusion monitoring and recognition approach in a power distribution room based on the improved YOLOv4 deep learning network is proposed. To optimize the detection effects, the YOLOv4 algorithm is improved from the aspects of network structure, frame detection, and loss function. At the same time, the channel pruning algorithm is used to prune the model to simplify the model structure. The experimental results show the effectiveness of the improved YOLOv4 deep learning network, which has high detection accuracy, fast detection speed, and takes up less space after pruning.

Rhabdomyolysis induced by low voltage extended electric shock in a bovine

Electric fences are great alternatives in the management of cattle pasture; however, they require extra attention when cherishing for the animals’ safety. Electric shocks caused by an artificial source are known as eletroplession or electrocution. Cases associated with electric fences often occur due to incorrect handling or even herd dispersion during panic. This study aims to report the epidemiological, clinical, and pathological features of prolonged electric shock in a bovine from Santa Catarina state, Brazil. The animal was found with its pelvic members stuck in the low-voltage electric fence. Twenty-four hours after the incident, the bovine showed clinical signs of apathy, depression, anorexia, and reluctance to move. In 96 hours, it was found in a lateral decubitus, with pedaling movements and nystagmus. After another 48 hours, there was no clinical improvement, and the animal was euthanized due to the unfavorable prognosis. Necropsy was performed, and fragments of all organs were collected for histopathological analysis. Gross and microscopic lesions associated with clinical signs demonstrated acute rhabdomyolysis due to electric shock, which resulted in the animal's recumbency. Histopathological analysis also revealed neurological damage due to the electric shock. Prolonged and low-voltage electrical discharges can cause acute rhabdomyolysis in bovines. This condition should be considered with a reserved to unfavorable prognosis due to the neurological disorders and possible kidney damage.

Research and Application of 5G Remote Control UAV with Aerial Electronic Fence

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are often out of control, lost, and crashed during use. The research of a 5G remote control UAV with an aerial electronic fence can solve these problems. The integrated application of 5G communication technology, Internet of Things technology, and electronic fence technology built through the GPS navigation cloud platform enables UAVs to achieve remote real-time control and electronic fence protection in the air through 5G. At the same time, UAVs can also achieve remote control, data transmission, image transmission, and other functions, so that UAVs can automatically and safely return in case of out-of-control failure, broaden the flight radius of UAVs, and improve the safety of UAVs.

An Intelligent Rebalance System for Tidal Phenomenon of Dockless Bicycle-Sharing

With the advantages of flexible parking locations and convenient cycling, Dockless Bicycle-sharing (DBS) has become increasingly popular worldwide. However, with the massive increase of DBSs and electric fences, DBS systems face several challenges: (1) the hardness of identifying the DBS tidal zones; (2) the difficulty of accurately evaluating and identifying overload fences; (3) the issues of rebalancing DBS in time. To deal with these challenges, we propose a Dockless Bicycle-sharing Dynamic Rebalance (DBSDR) system to dynamically provide the optimal bicycle guidance for the DBS network. The DBSDR system contains three modules: DBS tidal zone identification, evaluation framework of overload fences, and DBS dynamic guidance. For DBS tidal zone identification, tidal zone identification and location from each fence with bicycle flows are provided with the HDBSCAN clustering method. The evaluation framework, covering DBS flows and the parking demand density, is proposed to assess the characteristics of overload fences. Finally, a DBS dynamic guidance method is provided to balance DBS for the tidal phenomenon with guiding users to the optimal target fence. Extensive experiments conducted on real-world DBS datasets show the effectiveness and accuracy of rebalancing the tidal phenomenon in the DBS system.

Private electric fences: A novel and effective approach to preventing elephant depredation

Private electric fences: A novel and effective approach to preventing elephant depredation

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Our studies were carried out in a water buffalo pasture of the Zámolyi basin, in the area of the Csíkvarsai meadow, in the bed of a former lake, which was drained in 2022, then dried up by autumn and it was grazed by domestic water buffalo. The grazed area was surrounded by an electric fence. The vegetation of this part of the area and part of the outside was surveyed on 19 of November. We took 3-3 coenological surveys in both separated areas. Based on the results, there were significant floristic and physiognomic differences in the vegetation. Among the clover species, species with ground-running stems (Trifolium repens and T. fragiferum) were dominant in the grazed area, but in the ungrazed area, there was a coherent plant population of 30-40 cm high, densely located alsike clover (Trifolium hybridum) in the lake bed. In addition, the occurrence of swamp pricklegrass (Crypsis schoenoides) was a floristic new discovery.Due to the loss of water coverage, several Trifolium species have become abundant in the area, which is a result of the germination properties of the species. The thick seed coats were cracked by the loss of the effect of the water coverage on temperature equalisation, and germination could have begun, resulting in a dominant species in the area. During the present study, we have seen a very impressive result of the analysis of the vegetation of the lake bed in autumn aspect in the Zámolyi Basin, which is the result of the impact of water buffalo grazing. The number of species was more significant in the grazed area. Moreover, floristic rarities have been found and as an indicator of grazing, species of different life form types were dominant within the same genus.