To Fence or Not to Fence?
Field manager Ryan Wilbur builds a fence around fruit trees to keep bears out.
As wildlife conservationists working to connect large carnivore populations, we aim to enhance habitat with prevention tools that support wildlife movement. In doing so, we use a lot of fencing – fladry fencing, temporary, and permanent fencing. These tools prevent large carnivores from getting hung up on non-natural food sources like livestock and crops. But this can raise questions about fencing as a tool. Many nonprofits and volunteers remove fencing in certain areas to aid wildlife migration. So, is fencing good or bad for wildlife?
Countless miles of fences stretch across the western landscape. Many fences are essential to protect people by preventing livestock from wandering onto highways, or even by preventing wildlife from crossing roads. While many fences provide benefits, many fence designs can have detrimental effects, causing injuries and fatalities to wildlife, impeding wildlife movement, separating young from their mothers, or blocking access to important habitat.
The reality about fencing is that, if done right, it can be designed to minimize conflicts and even facilitate wildlife movement. “Wildlife-friendly” fencing is fencing that allows wildlife movement while containing livestock or other attractants. It considers the needs of the wildlife and allows them to pass through a fenced area. For example, removing barb wire and replacing it with smooth wire can help reduce entanglement and injury to wildlife. Drop down wires can be included to facilitate seasonal wildlife movements. Many temporary fencing setups can be taken down and set up again at the appropriate time.
Fladry is a type of temporary fence that prevents conflicts between wolves and livestock.
When P&C needs to use fencing to keep wolves, bears, or cougars separated from attractants, we carefully consider potential negative impacts to other wildlife. We first identify what animals to include and to exclude, as well as other species that use the habitat we’re working in.
When considering fence site locations, we consider animal feeding/foraging areas, migration corridors, and critical habitat, aiming to not inhibit wildlife from accessing these important areas. Fences designed to enclose livestock and exclude carnivores are often focused in smaller areas, so wild animals can typically move around the enclosures while conflicts are prevented. And some fences, such as fladry to deter wolves, are used only for short periods of time.
Fences can even be used in ways to benefit wildlife and habitat, such as using jack fencing around riparian areas to keep livestock from damaging important habitat or facilitating wildlife highway crossings. Invisible fencing options and new technology is further enhancing wildlife-friendly fencing options. So – To fence or not to fence? It depends!
