BARRIERS
Exclusion Fencing
- One method of decreasing or eliminating the feral cat population is the use of physical barriers. Although not practical on a large scale, small scale environments in Australia have seen success in keeping feral cats out of fenced off areas using floppy top fencing in combination with electric fencing1.
- While barriers are ideal in terms of humaneness, they are typically cost prohibitive. One mile of proper floppy-top exclusion fencing costs approximately $24,500 USD2.
- Exclusion fencing is best suited for areas of high conservation value that need protection from feral cats3.
- Denny, E.A., & Dickman, C.R. (2010). Review of cat ecology and management strategies in Australia. Australia: Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre.
- Moseby, K.E., & Read, J.L. (2006). The efficacy of feral cat, fox and rabbit exclusion fence designs for threatened species protection. Biological Conservation, 127(4), 429 - 437.
- Long, K., & Robley, A. (2004). Cost effective feral animal exclusion fencing for areas of high conservation value in Australia. Department of Sustainability and Environment, 1 - 61.