Electric Fence Research Articles

Determining human-elephant conflict hot spots in Hwange

This study predicted the spatial determinants of human-elephant conflict in Victoria Falls town, Hwange West communal area and the resettlement areas of Don Rovin, Mubiya and Kalala. The Garmin GPS receiver, digitizing and observation instruments were employed for collecting human-elephant conflict location. Results indicate that all the areas located close to the forest protected area are vulnerable to human-elephant conflict incidents. Therefore, areas such as Ndlovu, Mvutu, Chikandakubi and Chenamisa in Jambezi are human-elephant conflict hot spots as they share a boundary with the forest. Areas such as Chinotimba and Mkhosana residential area are human-elephant conflict hot spots in Victoria Falls as they share a boundary with both the Victoria Falls and the Zambezi National parks. The resettlement areas of Mubiya, Don Rovin and Kalala are hot spots for human-elephant conflict incidents. This is because the resettlement areas are all located at the boundary of the Fuller forest protected area. It is recommended that a deterrent method such as the installation of electric fence around Victoria Falls town has a great potential of preventing elephants from entering settlements and minimizing human-elephant conflict. For Hwange communal and resettlement areas, land use planners should prevent settlements patterns that leave crop fields vulnerable to crop raiding. Alternatively, land use planners can consider allocating land to other uses besides settlements and agriculture. Integrating the spatial determinants of human-elephant conflict with land use planning has a great potential of offering permanent solutions to the conflict problem.

CONDUIT FOR RESTORATION: THE PRISON LIBRARY

At first glance, the collection of beige sandstone cottages assembled neatly in a pristine meadow seems like a unique hide-a-away college campus, or perhaps an exclusive retirement community. Every morning you can hear the sound of wild geese escaping the nearby game reserve as they soar in sorties that collidein the sky in disarray and look like tealeaves swirling against an invisible spoon. What provokes this early morning aeronautical protest? When the birds quiet down, and if you listen, you may detect the hum of an electrical fence. It stands in close proximity to a perimeter road, a road where state cars routinely prowl under the steely eyes of white and blue shirted officers, watching, observing, and guarding. Here, the birds are free, and as in any prison experience, this is a place where men struggle to control the stress created by time, dislocation, apathy, and a lifestyle ofcareless decision making. (...)

Application of electronic fence technology based on GIS in Oncomelania hupensis snail monitoring

To study the application of Geographic Information System (GIS) electronic fence technique in Oncomelania hupensis snail monitoring. The electronic fence was set around the history and existing snail environments in the electronic map, the information about snail monitoring and controlling was linked to the electronic fence, and the snail monitoring information system was established on these bases. The monitoring information was input through the computer and smart phone. The electronic fence around the history and existing snail environments was set in the electronic map (Baidu map), and the snail monitoring information system and smart phone APP were established. The monitoring information was input and upload real-time, and the snail monitoring information was demonstrated in real time on Baidu map. By using the electronic fence technology based on GIS, the unique "environment electronic archives" for each snail monitoring environment can be established in the electronic map, and real-time, dynamic monitoring and visual management can be realized.

New conducted electrical weapons: Electrical safety relative to relevant standards.

We have previously published about TASER® conducted electrical weapons (CEW) compliance with international standards. CEWs deliver electrical pulses that can inhibit a person's neuromuscular control or temporarily incapacitate. An eXperimental Rotating-Field (XRF) waveform CEW and the X2 CEW are new 2-shot electrical weapon models designed to target a precise amount of delivered charge per pulse. They both can deploy 1 or 2 dart pairs, delivered by 2 separate cartridges. Additionally, the XRF controls delivery of incapacitating pulses over 4 field vectors, in a rotating sequence. As in our previous study, we were motivated by the need to understand the cardiac safety profile of these new CEWs. The goal of this paper is to analyze the nominal electrical outputs of TASER XRF and X2 CEWs in reference to provisions of all relevant international standards that specify safety requirements for electrical medical devices and electrical fences. Although these standards do not specifically mention CEWs, they are the closest electrical safety standards and hence give very relevant guidance. The outputs of several TASER XRF and X2 CEWs were measured under normal operating conditions. The measurements were compared against manufacturer specifications. CEWs electrical output parameters were reviewed against relevant safety requirements of UL 69, IEC 60335-2-76 Ed 2.1, IEC 60479-1, IEC 60479-2, AS/NZS 60479.1, AS/NZS 60479.2, IEC 60601-1 and BS EN 60601-1. Our study confirmed that the nominal electrical outputs of TASER XRF and X2 CEWs lie within safety bounds specified by relevant standards.

Evaluation of intercept feeding to reduce livestock depredation by grizzly bears

Supplemental and diversionary feeding can reduce conflicts between wildlife and people. However, feeding also can increase species abundance, survival, and reproductive success, which might increase human–wildlife conflicts. In southwestern Alberta, Canada, the provincial government fed road-killed ungulates to grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) each spring during 1998–2013 attempting to reduce spring depredation of livestock by grizzly bears. We used non-invasive genetic sampling, remote trail cameras, and complaint records to evaluate the efficacy of Alberta's intercept-feeding program. We monitored 12 intercept-feeding locations in 2012 and 2013. Using DNA, we identified 22 grizzly bears (19 M, 3 F) at the intercept-feeding sites. Remote trail cameras detected grizzly bears at all intercept-feeding sites, but detected females with dependent offspring at only 4 of the 12 sites. We reviewed complaint data for incidents before, during, and after the intercept-feeding program. We defined an incident as a situation where the grizzly bear caused property damage, obtained anthropogenic food, or killed or attempted to kill livestock or pets. Spring (1 Mar–15 Jun) grizzly bear–livestock incidents did not decrease during the intercept-feeding program (pre: 1982–1995, x = 0.8 spring livestock incidents/yr, SE = 0.3, during: 1999–2013, x = 3.3 spring livestock incidents/yr, SE = 1.3, t = 1.76, 27 df, P = 0.09). We also collected DNA samples from bears involved in incidents, and only 2 bears detected at intercept-feeding sites were detected also at a spring incident site. The intercept-feeding program was suspended in 2014 and 2015, and we did not detect an increase in spring livestock depredation. We estimated annual operating costs to be $43,850 Canadian dollars (CAD); initial capital equipment investment was $19,000 CAD. In total, approximately $720,600 CAD has been spent on the intercept-feeding program between 1998 and 2013. Intercept feeding did not decrease spring livestock depredation; therefore, other mitigation efforts, including electric fencing and deadstock removal, might be a more cost-effective long-term solution.

East African coastal forest under pressure

The Arabuko Sokoke dryland coastal forest along the East African coastline provides a unique habitat for many endangered endemic animal and plant species. High demographic pressure with subsequent land-splitting, soil depletion in combination with erratic rainfalls and the collapse of the tourism industry are negatively affecting food security and human livelihood quality in this region. Food crops were originally produced by subsistence farming, but have now to be purchased at local- and super-markets, constituting a major financial burden for the local people. In consequence, overexploitation of natural resources from Arabuko Sokoke forest (illegal logging, charcoal burning, poaching of wild animals) increased during the past years. In this commentary we document ecosystem heterogeneity leading to high species richness. We discuss direct and indirect drivers of habitat degradation of the Arabuko Sokoke forest, and critically reflect current and future solutions. Key drivers of habitat destruction and biodiversity loss are (i) illegal timber logging and removal of woody biomass, (ii) poaching of bush-meat, (iii) exceeding of the carrying capacity by the local elephant population, restricted to Arabuko Sokoke by an electric fence, and (iv) weak governance structures and institutional confusion exacerbating illegal exploitation of natural resources. Potential solutions might be: Provisioning of additional income sources; reforestation of the surrounding areas in the framework of REDD+ activities to create a buffer around the remaining primary forest; improving governance structures that formulates clear guidelines on future usage and protection of natural resources within the Arabuko Sokoke forest; and family planning to counteract human demographic pressure and the exploitation of natural resources.

Challenges of Conserving Blue Bull (Boselaphus tragocamelus) Outside the Protected Areas of Nepal

Blue bull, or ‘Nilgai’ (Boselaphus tragocamelus, Pallas, 1766) is the sole member of its genus. It is endemic to the Indian subcontinent and while there are major populations in northern India, there are also smaller populations in Nepal and Pakistan. It is now extinct in Bangladesh. The Nepalese population is sparsely distributed, mostly in the lowland Terai areas, and outside of Nepal’s protected area network. Conflict with local farming communities because of crop damage by nilgai has created conservation challenges and our aim was to document the distribution of nilgai and to explore the conflict between nilgai and the human population in lowland Nepal. Our study focused on the Rupendehi District of Nepal during March to August 2016, where a total of 303 nilgai were counted. The highest population of nilgai was in the community forests and lowest in areas of cultivated land. The distribution pattern of nilgai was clumped, with an average herd size of 5.6 individuals per herd. Crop raiding damage by nilgai created a serious problem in the municipalities, known as village development committees which are located close to potential nilgai habitat. The projected crop yield loss due to nilgai in the study area was NRs (Nepali Rupees) 7,275,507 (US$ 68,633) from March 2015 to March 2016. Vegetable and pulses crops were those most damaged by nilgai, contributing to 14.48 and 10.38% of the total losses, respectively. The local people held mixed perceptions of nilgai. The most negative views were held by people who had experienced some extent of crop loss. Suitable protective measures to minimize crop loss are required such as changing cropping patterns and crop composition, particularly cultivation of medicinal plants are suggested as priorities in highly effective zone. The study noted that there were many threats to nilgai including illegal hunting, poisoning, electric fences and habitat deterioration. Successful nilgai conservation will require further education, gaining support from local people and possibly new crop management techniques.

The electric fence to cell-cycle progression: Do local changes in membrane potential facilitate disassembly of the primary cilium?: Timely and localized expression of a potassium channel may set the conditions that allow retraction of the primary cilium.

Kv10.1 is a voltage-gated potassium channel relevant for tumor biology, but the underlying mechanism is still unclear. We propose that Kv10.1 plays a role coordinating primary cilium disassembly with cell cycle progression through localized changes of membrane potential at the ciliary base. Most non-dividing cells display a primary cilium, an antenna-like structure important for cell physiology. The cilium is disassembled when the cell divides, which requires an increase of Ca2+ concentration and a redistribution of phospholipids in its basal region, both of which would be facilitated by local hyperpolarization. Cells lacking Kv10.1 show impaired ciliary disassembly and delayed entrance into mitosis. Kv10.1 is predominantly expressed during G2/M, a critical period for ciliary resorption, and localizes to the ciliary base and vesicles associated with the centrosome. This could explain the influence of Kv10.1 in cell proliferation, as well as phenotypic features of patients carrying gain of function mutations in the gene.

Recurrent Foreign Body Ingestions Following Rapid Methadone Taper: Neurological Aspects of Self-Injury and Opioid Therapy

Recurrent Foreign Body Ingestions Following Rapid Methadone Taper: Neurological Aspects of Self-Injury and Opioid Therapy

Good fences make good neighbors: Implementation of electric fencing for establishing effective livestock-protection dogs

Good fences make good neighbors: Implementation of electric fencing for establishing effective livestock-protection dogs

Excluding Feral Swine, Javelinas, and Raccoons from Deer Bait Stations

This paper presents a design, list of materials, and construction procedure for a physical and electric barrier fence to prevent feral swine (Sus scrofa), javelina (Pecari tajacu), raccoons (Procyon lotor), and perhaps other non-target animals from accessing or damaging bait stations designed to administer acaricide treatments for the prevention of cattle ticks, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, and southern cattle ticks, R. (B.) annulatus, from successfully feeding on white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). The document includes behavioral rationale for the specific design, evidence of durability during deployment under field conditions in the brush country of southwestern Texas along the border with Mexico, and a demonstrated efficacy of 100%, as documented by photographic data gathered during this deployment. This study was undertaken specifically to aid in maximizing efforts of the USDA-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program (CFTEP) and the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) to control ticks feeding on white-tailed deer and will aid in preventing the re-introduction of cattle fever ticks and the potentially fatal Texas Fever that they vector from Mexico back into U.S cattle herds.

High-Temporal Resolution Photography for Observing Riparian Area Use and Grazing Behavior

Observation is a simple method of acquiring information and is a critical step in the scientific method for both developing and investigating testable hypotheses. Cameras have long played a role in observation, and as technology advances, new tools and methods for collecting, interrogating, and displaying large quantities of high-resolution images have evolved. We describe an automated digital time-lapse camera system and present an example field deployment to observe the temporal and spatial patterns of riparian use by humans and animals during a 3-mo period. We also describe software tools for image interrogation and visualization, as well as new information gathered through their use. The system was tested in 2014, in a 2.4-ha site within the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest in east central Arizona, United States where elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) and cattle grazed. Photographs were taken every 30 sec for 38 d, after which an electric fence was installed to restrict cattle access and the time step was increased to every 3 min. We observed that elk exhibited the unique behavior of standing in and traveling within the stream channel while grazing and tended to graze and lie in close proximity to the channel. Cattle drank from, but typically did not enter, the stream channel and tended to lie away from the channel. Recreational use by people had the distinct impact of dispersing elk from the riparian corridor. Zoomable time-lapse videos allowed us to observe that in contrast to the cattle, elk grazed while lying down. High-temporal resolution photography is a practical tool for observing phenomena that are important for local resource management.

Escape rates and biting histories of dogs confined to their owner's property through the use of various containment methods.

OBJECTIVE To determine escape rates for dogs confined to their owner's property by various containment methods and determine whether biting history was associated with containment method. DESIGN Cross-sectional survey. SAMPLE 974 owners of 1,053 dogs. PROCEDURES Individuals patronizing pet stores in Columbus, Ohio, were recruited to complete a survey on the method they used to confine their dogs to their property and their dogs' behavior history. RESULTS Dogs were confined to their owner's property by a physical fence (821/1,053 [78.0%]), electronic fence (150/1,053 [14.2%]), or tether system (82/1,053 [7.8%]). Dogs confined by an electronic fence were more likely to have escaped (66/150 [44.0%]) than were dogs confined by a see-through fence (153/658 [23.3%]), privacy fence (38/163 [23.3%]), or tether (22/82 [26.8%]). Forty-eight (4.6%) dogs had reportedly bitten a person in the past, and 81 (7.7%) had reportedly bitten another dog, but containment method was not significantly associated with whether dogs had ever bitten a person or another dog. Greeting behavior (growling, snarling, or trying to bite) was significantly associated with a history of biting a person or another dog. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that escape rate, but not biting history, was associated with the method owners used to confine dogs to their properties. Greeting behavior was associated with biting history, suggesting that owners of dogs that growl, snarl, or attempt to bite when meeting an unfamiliar person or dog should seek assistance to prevent future bites.

Utilising aversive conditioning to manage the behaviour of K’gari (Fraser Island) dingoes (Canis dingo)

K’gari (Fraser Island) offers a rare opportunity for people to observe and encounter wild dingoes. Occasionally, however, such encounters can entail dingoes acting in a threatening or aggressive manner towards people, resulting in human injury and, in one tragic case, death. A suite of approaches aimed at minimising the risk to human safety posed by dingoes have been implemented on the island, including fencing, island-wide warning signage, and regulations against feeding. Despite such measures, negative encounters continue, and in cases where dingoes are deemed to pose an unacceptable risk, they are usually destroyed. In searching for non-lethal management alternatives, attempts have been made to modify undesirable dingo behaviour through aversive conditioning, but results to date have either been mixed or largely disappointing. Here we review a wide array of research that has utilised aversive stimuli in an effort to modify and manage the behaviour of wild animals, with a particular focus on related predators such as coyotes and wolves. We identified eight major categories of experimental research: conditioned taste aversion/avoidance (CTA), electric fencing, fladry, chemical repellents, fear-evoking stimuli, physical repellents, aversive collars/devices and hard release procedures. We then outline each of these categories in more detail, complete with pertinent examples of successes and failures as well as advantages and disadvantages. We conclude that some approaches offer promise within three main areas of incident mitigation experimentation: dingo exclusion (e.g. electric fencing), personal protection (mild chemical irritant sprays, sturdy umbrellas) and remedial aversive conditioning (e.g. shock collars). Other approaches, such as CTA and sublethal projectiles are not recommended. Like any approach, aversive conditioning is not a panacea, but it does offer promise in filling gaps in current management and as an alternative to lethal control.

Prevention of Wild Boar Invasions into a Cattle Fattening Barn Using Electric Fences

Prevention of Wild Boar Invasions into a Cattle Fattening Barn Using Electric Fences

How do land‐use practices affect human—elephant conflict in nepal?

Asian elephants Elephas maximus are an endangered species and human—elephant conflict (HEC) is the major threat to their survival. HEC causes crop and property loss and occasionally results in the death of both humans and elephants in Nepal. Elephants are responsible for more than 40% of the human—wildlife conflict, 70% of the wildlife‐caused human casualties, and a 25% loss in crop production in Nepal. Identification of the factors associated with elephant invasion can help mitigate conflict by allowing residents and representatives to address those factors. This study used face‐to‐face interviews in 1182 households in villages affected by elephants in southern Nepal using a structured questionnaire to understand how land‐use practices are related to HEC regionally. Almost all (99%) of the surveyed houses had some damage from elephants within the past five years. A stepwise binary logistic regression showed that practices such as the growing of traditional crops (rice and large maize fields), maintaining bananas, and home alcohol production increase the chances of elephant attacks. Our data also revealed that HEC is most intense in winter months, when rice is harvested. People residing near protected areas had positive attitudes towards elephants, as they received economic benefits from ecotourism and improved mitigation practices such as electric fences. Changing some land‐use practices could reduce HEC in the region. Therefore, alternative crops should be explored to reduce HEC in southern Nepal. Other management recommendations include moving fruit trees away from homes or fencing community orchards. Although home alcohol production is illegal in Nepal, those engaging in the practice should not ferment alcohol in their homes. Finally, growing bamboo on the edge of settlements would engage elephants and allow for a response to repel them before severe crop or house damage occurs.

電気防獣柵漏電検出・通報装置と自走式電気防獣柵除草ロボットの開発

電気防獣柵漏電検出・通報装置と自走式電気防獣柵除草ロボットの開発

Canada goose crop damage abatement in South Dakota

Canada geese (Branta canadensis) can cause considerable damage to crops during summer when geese are fl ightless. We evaluated the effectiveness of a program designed to alleviate crop damage on soybeans by Canada geese in South Dakota, USA. The applications of electric fences, feeding stations, and propane cannons reduced the area of crop damage by 90% in 2006 and 80% in 2007, but the timing was important. Fields where abatement practices were applied early in the growing season had less damage than fi elds where they were applied later. Abatement practices that were properly applied as soon as damage started and that were maintained throughout the growing season were effective at reducing damage to soybeans by Canada geese.

Effectiveness of electro-fencing for restricting the ranging behaviour of wildlife: a case study in the degazetted parts of Akagera National Park

Several national parks on the African continent have been fenced to mitigate human–wildlife conflict, but the effectiveness of different fencing strategies seems to vary between regions. Here, we assessed the effectiveness of electro-fencing for restricting movement patterns of several wild ungulates in Akagera National Park (NP), Rwanda. Following the turmoil of the Rwandan genocide and civil war (1991–1995), large numbers of returning war refugees brought about an increasing pressure on land use, after which considerable parts of the western Akagera NP and adjacent Mutara Game Reserve were degazetted, followed by the construction of an electric fence in 2013 and a helicopter-based game-drive of ungulates into the modern park. We conducted distance sampling of wildlife and domestic livestock in the Uruhita plain – now no longer part of Akagera NP but bordering the modern Akagera NP to the west – for extended periods of time (2010–2015) before and after fencing. For abundant species population densities could be calculated, whereas for other species encounter frequencies are reported. We report on continuously high cattle densities, and increasing encounter frequencies of sheep/goats in the Uruhita plain. We found decreasing densities of zebra (Equus quagga) and decreasing encounter frequencies of waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus), stagnant encounter frequencies in the case of topi (Damaliscus lunatus jimela) and stagnant densities of impala (Aepyceros melampus). The latter species can jump fences, and we argue that competitive release and reduced predation may be the prime factors leading impala to (temporarily) exploit grasslands outside the modern national park.

Technical Note: Behavior effects of mixing different breeds to evaluate electric fence strand additions to barbed wire fence to contain mature and growing meat goats

<h2>ABSTRACT</h2> In Exp. 1, 80 Boer and 80 Spanish does were used to evaluate effects of grouping method, single breed (SGL) and breeds combined (COM), on behavior when exposed to electric fence treatments (FT). Five evaluation pens with one side consisting of a 5-strand barbed wire fence for cattle had electric fence strands added at 15 and 43 (LwHi), 15 and 23 (LwMd), 15 (Lw), 23 (Md), and 43 cm (Hi) from the ground. After 5 wk for becoming accustomed to measurement conditions, does were divided into 2 replication sets per grouping. Each of 5 evaluation pens held 4 does for 1 h exposure to FT while behavior was observed. Grouping method and FT interacted (<i>P</i> < 0.01) in percentage of does exiting pens (Boer-COM: 0, 50, 50, 88, and 75%; Boer-SGL: 0, 13, 13, 50, and 63%; Spanish-COM: 25, 88, 100, 100, and 100%; and Spanish-SGL: 75, 100, 63, 100, and 63% for LwHi, LwMd, Lw, Md, and Hi, respectively; SE=13.2). In Exp. 2, 78 Boer and 80 Spanish growing kids were used with similar procedures. Grouping method and FT interacted (<i>P</i> = 0.01) in pen exit (Boer-COM: 50, 25, 75, 86, and 43%; Boer-SGL: 13, 75, 88, 75, and 100%; Spanish-COM: 63, 63, 76, 88, and 75%; and Spanish-SGL: 25, 38, 88, 100, and 100% for LwHi, LwMd, Lw, Md, and Hi, respectively; SE=15.4). In conclusion, grouping mature but not growing Boer and Spanish goats together was effective in decreasing breed differences in behavior for evaluating electric fence strand treatments.