Wildlife virtual fencing
Wildlife virtual fencing is a roadside wildlife protection technology that is intended to reduce wildlife–vehicle collisions by deterring animals from entering roads as vehicles approach. Unlike conventional fencing, these systems do not rely on physical barriers to block animal movement, and instead emit sounds and lights that are activated by approaching vehicle headlights to discourage wildlife from entering the roadway. Due to the system's reliance on vehicle headlights, it is generally operable between dusk and dawn.[1][2][3]
History
[edit]In the late 20th century, Austria was among the first countries to develop virtual fencing technology to deter wild deer, with the goal of reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions. After a five year trial in Austria had reported that it had lowered road kills by 80-90%, the technology was launched throughout Europe in 2003. However, the methodology and reporting of the early Austrian trial have been criticised by later researchers.[4]
Australia later trialed wildlife virtual fencing in multiple road corridors, including at Long Beach, NSW, Sunshine Coast, QLD, and along the Great Ocean Road, VIC, with the aim to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions that involves species such as kangaroos, Tasmanian devils, deer, koalas, and wombats.[5][6][7][8][9][10]
Reported results have been mixed.[11][12][13][14] An eight months trial at Eurobodalla Shire areas in 2023 reported a 90 per cent decrease in the number of kangaroo collisions with vehicles, however a three-year trial at Phillip Island, between 2019 and 2022, saw no significant difference.[15][1]
According to a Victorian parliamentary inquiry report published on November 2025, global studies have indicated that sound and light signals may be effective where they take into account the "biological relevance" of the warning signal, and that behavioural studies on Australian animals are "presently lacking" to assess the effectiveness of the technology. The report noted that researchers in Sweden found that certain sounds like human voices were most effective in deterring wild Swedish deer, although effectiveness may vary depending on habituation to humans.[16]
In 2025, over 1,300 residents in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) signed a petition calling on the ACT Government to trial wildlife virtual fencing across Canberra to help reduce kangaroo roadkill incidents.[15][17]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- 1 2 "Wildlife rescuers say 'virtual fence' saving hundreds of kangaroos on Victoria's Surf Coast". ABC News. 2024-11-02. Retrieved 2026-01-08.
- ↑ Reeves, Julie; Burnett, Scott; Brunton, Elizabeth (2021-07-19). "Virtual fencing as a wildlife-vehicle collision mitigation measure: technical function, wildlife response and considerations for installation in an urban environment". Australian Zoologist. 42: 56–70. doi:10.7882/AZ.2021.021.
- ↑ Klein, Alice. "Roadkill deaths halved on Australian road thanks to a fence of sound". New Scientist. Retrieved 2026-07-03.
- ↑ Coulson, Graeme; Bender, Helena (2020). "Roadkill mitigation is paved with good intentions: a critique of Fox et al. (2019)". Australian Mammalogy. 42: 122–130. doi:10.1071/AM19009. Retrieved 2026-01-08.
- ↑ Stannard, Hayley; Wynan, Marie; Wynan, Ray; Dixon, Brendan; Mayadunnage, Sujatha; Old, Julie (2021-09-01). "Can virtual fences reduce wombat road mortalities?". Ecological Engineering. 172 106414. Bibcode:2021EcEng.17206414S. doi:10.1016/j.ecoleng.2021.106414.
- ↑ "Virtual fencing is being used to reduce Tasmanian devil roadkill. Could it work in the UK?". Discover Wildlife. 2018-08-02. Retrieved 2026-07-03.
- ↑ "High-tech 'virtual' fence could save the lives of native wildlife". ABC News. 2022-10-25. Retrieved 2026-07-03.
- ↑ Williams, Edwina (2024-09-12). "Virtual fencing could protect koala population". Ballarat Times. Retrieved 2026-07-03.
- ↑ "Virtual fencing aims to reduce roadkill and save endangered wildlife". ABC News. 2020-06-01. Retrieved 2026-07-03.
- ↑ Andrews, Crispin (2018-12-23). "Smart sonic fences are here to stop deer from becoming roadkill". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved 2026-07-03.
- ↑ Coulson, Graeme; Bender, Helena (2024-03-21). "10 million animals die on our roads each year. Here's what works (and what doesn't) to cut the toll". The Conversation. Retrieved 2026-07-03.
- ↑ "'Virtual fence' shows promise in reducing road toll of Tasmanian devils". ABC News. 2015-12-09. Retrieved 2026-07-03.
- ↑ Coulson, Graeme; Bender, Helena (2022-05-23). "Wombat Roadkill Was Not Reduced by a Virtual Fence. Comment on Stannard et al. Can Virtual Fences Reduce Wombat Road Mortalities? Ecol. Eng. 2021, 172, 106414". Animals. 12 (10): 1323. doi:10.3390/ani12101323. ISSN 2076-2615. PMC 9138081. PMID 35625169.
- ↑ Mason, Edwina. "Wombat roadkill lowered by Wagga researcher's virtual fences". About Regional. Retrieved 2026-07-03.
- 1 2 "Aussie council rolls out clever devices to curb relentless issue on regional roads". Yahoo News. 2026-06-24. Retrieved 2026-07-03.
- ↑ "Wildlife roadstrike in Victoria" (PDF). Parliament of Victoria. Retrieved 2026-01-08.
- ↑ "Drivers demand clever roadside feature to prevent deadly issue on Aussie road". Yahoo News. 2025-09-17. Retrieved 2026-07-03.