The Electric Fence for Wild Animal Deterrence: Wolves
For about 150 years, wolves have been distinct in our region. But since 2000, more and more wolves are living in the wilds of Germany again. Conservationists are quite happy about this. But one man`s joy is another man`s sorrow: Because wolves, as carnivores, not only kill wild animals, but also easy-to-take livestock such as goats or sheep. Additional protection measures are therefore indispensable. In particular, deterrence of wolves with electric fences has proven itself.
The federal states of Germany have developed standards for the fence types “permanent electric fences” and “mobile electric fences”, which are published in federal “wolf management plans”. Fences according to such standards are considered to be wolf-safe and entitle to financial support for preventive measures or compensation payments in the event of damage.
The Wolf Deterrent Fence
For the deterrence of wolves, an electric fence made of five current carrying wires and straps or a wolf deterrent netting is suitable. The electric fence must be very well grounded — only then, there is a sufficient current conduction guaranteed. The power supply is a powerful 12 V AKO fence energizer with a fence voltage of 4,000 to 5,000 volts and an impulse energy of 5 joules.
Wolves try to first dig a hole below the fence before jumping over it. Therefore, the ground clearance to the lowest wire should be 10 to at most 20 cm. The other wires or tapes are installed to a height of 30 and 50 cm, and then again to 80 and 110 cm. At the upper end of the fence, you can additionally attach a signal strap as an optical barrier at approximately 130 cm, or even attach rags. The rags have a deterrent effect especially on young wolves — even if only a short-term one. Wolf nettings also have a non-electrifying ground wire as protection against underground excavation.
Make sure that the electric fence has sufficient clearance to slopes, rootstocks, etc., so that wolves do not use them as jumping grounds. In the case of small pens, the wolf can get too close to the farm animals despite the fences and cause them to be in a state of unrest. In this case, you can build a safety ring with a double fencing.
A successful electric fence also requires daily monitoring along the fence line, removing vegetation above and below the fence, and regularly checking the charging voltage of the battery.
For more details and tipps on other deterrent fences, for example for foxes or wild boars, take a look at the Wild Animal Deterrence Guidebook from AKO.
