PROTECTING THE ENDANGERED TASMANIAN DEVIL

 

 

Virtual Fencing has had proven application in the US and Europe, on wildlife of all species and sizes, since 2003. However, as a new product to Australia, it’s effectiveness on Australian wildlife and in Australian conditions was yet to be documented.

 

Wildlife Safety Solutions, the company bringing Virtual Fencing to Australia, began a trial of Virtual Fencing in Tasmania in February 2014.

 

Working in partnership with the Tasmanian Government, a trial site was chosen in the North-West of the island State. The site was chosen for its well-documented instances of road-kill, and for being situated within the habitat of the endangered Tasmanian Devil.

 

The trial involves monitoring road-kill along 10 kilometres of road, with the Virtual Fencing devices protecting four kilometres of road within the test area.

 

Monitoring began in November 2013, before Virtual Fencing devices were installed.

 

Following the installation of Virtual Fencing DD410 devices in February 2014, a dramatic drop in road-kill has been recorded.

 

These early results indicate an 60-70% effectiveness of the Virtual Fencing product on Australian Wildlife.

 

This test site will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the DD410 product on Australian wildlife. Wildlife Safety Solutions are currently developing a new test site at which to test the DD450 Virtual Fencing product. The new DD450 site is being developed with the Tasmanian department of infrastructure.

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Wildlife Safety Solutions is proud to be working with the Save the Devil Program.