Several agencies came together in March 2020 to conduct a study in the Snowy Monaro to see if virtual fences can help deter the bare-nosed wombat from entering roadways, preventing vehicle accidents and the death of these vulnerable and iconic animals.
Currently, there is diversified research on best practice around discouraging animal and vehicle collisions. One method of interest is virtual fencing which consists of light and sound-based devices which deter animals from coming onto the road.
Given the size, weight and speed of wombats, collisions can cause serious damage to vehicles, drivers and wombats. Snowy Monaro Regional Council, Transport for NSW, Western Sydney University, Charles Stuart University, Humane Society International and the Jarake Wildlife Sanctuary Ltd were all interested in how these virtual fences could be tested locally.
In March 2020, funding was gained to install a 1.5km stretch of virtual fencing along Old Bega Road, to see if this would reduce the number of wombats killed. The study found that that within the fenced area 23 wombats were killed pre-installation and 6 post-installation. Similarly outside the fenced area 64 wombats were killed pre-installation and 17 post-installation.
Although the research suggested a decline in wombat deaths with virtual fencing installation, there were variables that may have impacted this study and thus it was suggested that more research is undertaken to see if virtual fencing can be a roadkill mitigation strategy amongst other species and varying habitats.
Roadkill is one of the most serious threats to wildlife and road-users in the Snowy Monaro. Our region is known for its rugged terrain and unspoiled natural wilderness and is home to native species and invasive vertebrate pests including kangaroos, wombats, brumbies, echidnas, foxes, deer and many birds.
The same diversity of natural environments and agricultural land that makes the Snowy Monaro what it is, means that our roadways sit amongst the homes of many animals. While any collision between animals and vehicles is dangerous and often tragic, it is the bare-nosed wombat (Vombatus ursinus) that is particularly vulnerable due to its particular preference to reside in roadside environments.
For anyone interested in reading the full study, please head to https://www.wombatprotection.org.au/s/Virtual-fence-published.pdf
