Using artificial passageways to facilitate the movement of wildlife on Namibian farmland

Published source details Weise F.J., Wessels Q., Munro S. & Solberg M. (2014) Using artificial passageways to facilitate the movement of wildlife on Namibian farmland. South African Journal of Wildlife Research, 44, 161-166.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Install mammal crossing points along fences on farmland Action Link

Install mammal crossing points along fences on farmland

A before-and-after study in 2010 on a farm in Namibia (Weise et al. 2014) found that tyres installed as passageways through fences facilitated movements of wild mammals, especially carnivores, and reduced fence maintenance requirements. During 96 days, 11 mammal species, including nine carnivores, used one crossing. The most frequently recorded species were black-backed jackal Canis mesomelas (44 occasions), porcupine Hystrix africaeaustralis (21 occasions) and cheetah Acinonyx jubatus (nine occasions, seven different animals). Fewer fence holes needed mending after tyre installation (13.6 holes/day) than before (31.3 holes/day). Forty-nine discarded car tyres (37 cm radius opening) were installed at ground level into a 19.1-km-long, 2.4-m-high fence. Tyre locations, 35–907 m apart, were prioritised to areas of high warthog Phacochoerus africanus digging activity. One tyre was monitored with a camera trap for 96 days from August–December 2010. Holes needing maintenance were counted for 10 days before and 10 days after tyre installation.

(Summarised by: Nick Littlewood)