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Wildlife Exclusion is an essential part of modern efforts to safeguard the natural habitats of animals, better control their movements, and maintain a thriving ecological balance.
If you’re only just coming across the concept, our guide will help you understand what wildlife exclusion is, how to identify when it’s required, and ways to implement best fencing practices for animal welfare.
Broadly speaking, wildlife exclusion is a wildlife damage management approach which uses barriers to humanely reduce the access of different animals (often, but not limited to creatures considered pests such as rodents, badgers, and foxes) to certain areas.
As well as protecting properties from potential damage inflicted by wild animals,wildlife exclusion is also a way to modify their habitats, managing their access to water, food, and shelter.
Plus,wildlife exclusion considers the welfare of the creatures themselves, keeping wild and farm animals away from potentially dangerous zones like big roads on construction sites.
Wildlife exclusion fencing has been designed to serve as a humane barrier which ensures animals don’t enter – or, in some cases, leave – a certain location. This typeof fencing might be used to protect urban infrastructure, or agricultural assets such as crops and livestock.
The main difference between traditional and wildlife exclusion fencing is that,when installing the latter, things like the size, behaviour, and individual needs of the species are considered to create a tailored fencing solution which minimises harm while maintaining efficiency.
There Are various scenarios in which you might want to use wildlife exclusion fencing, such as:
Conservation efforts: As part of projects which aim to safeguard biodiversity and ensure endangered species have a safe environment where they can thrive,wildlife exclusion fencing can be used to keep predators and humans out.
Infrastructure flow: When it comes to navigating urban areas rife with modern travel amenities such as train tracks and motorways, wildlife exclusion fencing protects both animals and people from accidental collisions.
To preserve the essential movements of wildlife, exclusion fencing can be used instead direct species towards points where they can safely cross otherwise dangerous areas, like bridges or underpasses.
Agricultural protection: Farmers struggling with destroyed crops, injured livestock, or broken down property borders is not something new. But wildlife exclusion fencing is a contemporary alternative to less humane methods of keeping wildlife away, such as lethal mechanical or chemical deterrents. This way,agriculture and wildlife can exist side by side, without a negative impact.
Construction considerations: Large construction developments – whether they are urbanor countryside ones – can cause disruption to wildlife ecosystems. Installing wildlife exclusion fencing around development sites will keep animals from accidentally getting trapped or injured after wandering into a construction zone. An added benefit is that animals can’t cause damage to your site or materials either.
Whatever your motivation for considering wildlife friendly fencing, there are some guidelines which should inform your choice and the installation process.
Species profile –Your first consideration with wildlife exclusion fencing should be about the different species’ requirements, both in terms of animals you’re targeting with the barrier, and other local wildlife.
For optimal effectiveness, consider how best to focus on the species you’re keeping contained (e.g. deer would need tall, sturdy fences) while ensuring other creatures can still safely travel through the area (e.g. by providing smallopenings for rodents).
Environmental factors – This aspect of the wildlife friendly fencing guidelines is also twofold. First and foremost, time your exclusion fencing installation in accordance with seasonal wildlife considerations, such as nesting times. Forminimal disruption of key life cycle phases, plan your projects duringoff-season periods.
You should also think about the ecological aesthetics of the area where you’re fitting wildlife exclusion fencing. Choosing fencing that blends with the natural surroundings means not just less visual disruption, but also greater acceptance from animal and human communities alike.
Material safety –Selecting the right materials for your exclusion fencing is vital for protecting animal welfare. Choose eco-friendly materials which don’t presentany chemical (non-toxic coatings and biodegradable) or physical (smooth wire or mesh without sharp edges) risks to local species.
Proper material selection serves to minimise injury to all animals interacting with the fence, while also ensuring the longevity of the structure without serious environmental impact.
Regular monitoring and maintenance are also a key aspect of wildlife exclusion. Keep an eye out for any wear and tear, widened gaps, or structural damage caused by humans, animals, or fallen trees; all of these can reduce the effectiveness of your wildlife exclusion fencing and cause harm to native animal species.
In addition to having a stellar reputation for our fencing skills in both commercial and domestic settings, we have heaps of practical knowledge about exclusion fencing and animals.
Whether you’re in an urban or a rural area, if you’re looking for an eco-friendly way to keep both animals and your property safe, take a look at our wildlife exclusion fencing solutions, or contact our team for advice.