Marloth Park Management Plan. - Nkomazi Local Municipality

FENCELINE SPECIFICATIONS
Fencing does not comply with the principle of providing as natural conditions as possible on a
wildlife reserve. With game moving in on a reserve becoming the property of the reserve
owners, fences are necessary to keep the game within the reserve boundaries. Fencing
becomes even more imperative if valuable animals are kept on the wildlife ranch.
Furthermore, certain types of game pose a threat to public safety if not confined properly.
Several factors that determine the efficiency of a game fence such as the type of game being
kept, the terrain of the area, the type of material being used, and the availability of the
material and finances. Specifications of the local conservation authority also have to be
considered. When erecting a fence it is of great importance that the fence should be strong,
firm and of good quality. The height fence is determined by the game that it kept. Animals
such as eland, impala, kudu, mountain reedbuck and waterbuck jump over fences, while
animals such as duiker, gemsbok, klipspringer, red hartebeest, steenbok and warthog crawl
underneath. Small animals are capable of moving freely through fences, and animals such as
buffalo and rhinoceros simply break through. A 17 to 21wire strand fence of 2.25 m to 2.4 m
is high enough for fencing in those animals that are capable of jumping. Closer spacing of 80
to 125 mm of the lower wire strands in contrast to 130 to 170 mm of the top wires prevents
animals from crawling through the fence. Animals such as warthogs that dig are more
difficult to control and mostly allowed to move freely. Three types of fence posts are used in
the construction of fences: Straining posts, line posts and droppers. The straining posts are the
main anchors of a fence and should be strong enough to withstand the strain exerted on them
by the fence. On plains straining posts should be 100 to 300 m apart from each other. Line
posts are erected at equal intervals between the straining posts. The line posts form the core of
the fence and ensure elasticity if positioned 8 to 15 m apart. The droppers are placed at equal
intervals between the line posts at distances ranging from 1 to 3 m. They aim to strengthen the
fence and ensure even spacing of the wires. The wire itself can be barbed or smooth as well as
single or double stranded. It is either bound or stapled to the respective post.
Certain circumstances necessitate the erection of an electric fence around a wildlife area. An
electrified fence facilitates the confinement of large or dangerous game such as elephants,
hippopotamuses, rhinoceroses and predators. An energizer generates a regular electric pulse.
As soon as an animal touches the electric wire, it experiences an electric shock. This shock
usually discourages the animal from crossing the fence. The requirements for an electric fence
depend on the animal to be restrained. Different species require different specifications.
Upgrading a game fence to an electric game fence is relatively inexpensive and requires low
labour input relative to the degree of effectiveness gained. The minimum requirements are
one energiser per 10 km of game fences.
© Ecological Associates/ Marloth Park 117