Study

Trial results of the use of a "Duftzaun" (scent fence) to prevent game losses due to traffic accidents

  • Published source details Lutz W. (1994) Ergebnisse der Anwendung eines sogenannten Duftzaunes zur Vermeidung von Wildverlusten durch den Straßenverkehr nach Gehege-und Freilandorientierungen. Zeitschrift für Jagdwissenschaft, 40, 91-108.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Use chemical repellents along roads or railways

Action Link
Terrestrial Mammal Conservation
  1. Use chemical repellents along roads or railways

    A before-and-after study in 1991–1996 at a research centre in Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany (Lutz 1994) found that Duftzaun scent repellent temporarily deterred some but not all large mammal species and did not reduce vehicle collisions. Red deer Cervus elaphus, roe deer Capreolus capreolus and wild boar Sus scrofa were killed on the road. There was no significant difference between numbers killed on the road when repellent was used (18/year) compared with before (13/year) or after (9/year) use (data supplied by author). In enclosure trials, mufflon Ovis orientalis (seven animals) avoided scented posts for 15 minutes. Sika deer Cervus nippon (four) avoided posts for a few minutes and roe deer (four) approached posts cautiously. Red deer (one) and fallow deer Dama dama (four) were not deterred by repellent. Trials were held in six enclosures. Duftzaun (a mixture of 10 acids integrated into a ridged foam) was applied to tops of posts supporting 50% of daily feed and animals’ behaviours were recorded. In November 1992, a Duftzaun ‘scent fence’ was installed along a 2.8-km-long highway section where deer crossed. Scent was re-injected after four weeks and then every three months. Vehicle-wildlife collisions were recorded for two years before installation (1991–1992), three years after installation (1993–1995) and one year post-trial (1996).

    (Summarised by: Rebecca K. Smith)

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