Creation of a 'water pathway' for otters Lutra lutra, under an electric fence at Kingfishers Bridge, Cambridgeshire, England
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Published source details
Gulickx M.M.C., Beecroft R.C. & Green A.C. (2007) Creation of a 'water pathway' for otters Lutra lutra, under an electric fence at Kingfishers Bridge, Cambridgeshire, England. Conservation Evidence, 4, 28-29.
Published source details Gulickx M.M.C., Beecroft R.C. & Green A.C. (2007) Creation of a 'water pathway' for otters Lutra lutra, under an electric fence at Kingfishers Bridge, Cambridgeshire, England. Conservation Evidence, 4, 28-29.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Install mammal crossing points along fences on farmland Action Link |
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Install mammal crossing points along fences on farmland
A study in 2005 at a wetland reserve in Cambridgeshire, UK (Gulickx et al. 2007) found that a vertical-sided ditch under an electric fence allowed access to the site by otters Lutra lutra. Several otter spraints were found within the fenced area. Some were at the edge of the ditch under the fence, indicating probable otter use of that route. No evidence of red foxes Vulpes vulpes using the route was identified. The ditch, 1 m deep and 3 m wide, flowed under the boundary of the fenced reserve. Ditch sides were supported by wooden boards, to maintain the banks as vertical, so that entry could only be achieved by swimming. The fence, 1.3 m high and 2 km long, was electrified year-round. It was installed in 2005 to deter entry by foxes, for the purpose of reducing predation on nesting birds.
(Summarised by: Nick Littlewood)
