IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| du Plessis, H.; Smit, G.N. | |
| The development and final testing of an electrified leopard proof game fence on the farm Masequa | |
| 2002 Full Book | |
Previously developed leopard proof fences were very expensive, unpractical and not well suited for mountainous areas. The need for an effective, cost effective leopard proof fence existed for range owners that would either like to keep leopards inside their property or to keep them out of their property, mainly to protect their stock and game from predation. The opportunity to develop such a fence arisen during 1997 when Mr. Johan Holtzhauzen of the farm Masequa found four leopard cups after a vehicle had killed their mother. Two did not survive the trauma, while the other two were hand-reared successfully. They developed a fence that successfully contained the two hand-reared female leopards. The testing of the fence with a wild leopard was deemed necessary because of the difference in the behaviour of wild leopards and the more docile hand reared leopards. The objective of the study was to determine if the current electrified leopard proof fence can contain a wild leopard, and if not, to evaluate the reasons for the failure and to make improvements to the fence based on the way in which the leopard managed to escape. The wild leopard initially remained in hiding after her release. Signs of escape attempts were discovered over the following days. The wild leopard tried to jump the fence and to dig underneath it. In final conclusion of the study it can be said the developed electrified game fence was successful in constraining the hand-reared leopards as well as a wild leopard. |
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