Virtual fencing success saves wildlife and reduces roadkill

NEW technology has significantly reduced wildlife accidents on Forest Road, with a virtual fencing trial now in its third year showing impressive results.

Using sensors activated by car headlights, the system emits lights and sounds to deter animals from roads during high-risk hours.

Wildlife rescuer Jason Cichocki said preliminary findings indicated the fence had been a huge success.

“Since installing the virtual fencing, collisions with macropods have more than halved, and bird fatalities have also seen a dramatic decrease,” he said.

University of Melbourne researchers estimate around 10 million animals are struck by vehicles on the country’s roads annually.

According to Dr. Marissa Parrott, this high rate of wildlife fatalities poses a significant threat to entire species.

“As Australia’s population expands, wildlife are pushed into smaller areas, with more roads criss-crossing their habitats,” she said.

“The most visible victims of road expansion are larger mammals such as possums, wombats, kangaroos and koalas.”

“However, millions of smaller animals including echidnas, birds, reptiles and frogs are also injured or killed each year on our roads.”

Wildlife Safety Solutions are the sole provider of the fences in Australia.

Managing director David Everett said that the technology was first introduced in Tasmania due to the high rates of roadkill but noted that each location presents unique challenges.

“We’ve got such a diversity of animals in Australia, and the local flora and fauna impact how the technology works. In some installations down the south coast of New South Wales, we’ve seen a 99 per cent reduction in strikes with local kangaroos,” Mr Everett said.

“In Tasmania, the numbers are closer to 50 per cent for the Tasmanian Devil and about 75per cent for local wallabies.

“The challenge in Australia is significant; as we reach out across the continent, communities, like those in the Northern Territory, require specific localised studies, which is understandable

“But a comprehensive research study requires three years of daily data collection, and few local councils have the resources to conduct such extensive research.”

On the Surf Coast, Mr Cichocki said that the night-time deterrents had virtually eliminated kangaroo and wallaby roadkill during the hours of operation.

He hopes the success of the trial could lead to wider implementation across the country, which currently hosts several smaller trials.

Mr Cichocki highlighted the trial’s importance, stressing that the comprehensive data collected over the three years will be crucial in advocating for broader application of this technology.

“We’ve seen significant reductions in wildlife casualties, and it’s not just about saving animals; it’s about preventing accidents and saving human lives as well,” he said.

Mr Cichocki, who founded Surf Coast Wildlife Rescue, also discussed the community’s role in supporting local wildlife initiatives.

“Community support has been vital. Every call we get about an animal in distress shows just how much people care and want to help,” Jason remarked.

The trial is set to conclude next year, with hopes that the results will encourage further investment in virtual fencing technologies to protect wildlife across Australia’s roads.

If you see injured wildlife call the Surfcoast Wildlife Rescue 24/7 helpline on 0422 048 557