Other barriers

This section reviews physical and behavioural deterrents (e.g., fences, predator-proof bomas, repellents, and virtual barriers) used to mitigate human-wildlife conflict. Resources assess their effectiveness, limitations, and long-term sustainability across different species and landscapes.
Key Papers
Campbell-Smith, G., R. Sembiring, and M. Linkie. 2012. Evaluating the effectiveness of human-orangutan conflict mitigation strategies in Sumatra. Journal of Applied Ecology 49:367-375. External resource
Das, G., K. Selvan, B. Lahkar, and G. V. Gopi. 2022. Effectiveness of physical barriers in mitigating human–elephant negative interactions in North-East India. Frontiers in Conservation Science 3. Download
Hill, C. M., and G. E. Wallace. 2012. Crop protection and conflict mitigation: reducing the costs of living alongside non-human primates. Biodiversity and Conservation 21:2569-2587. External resource
Hoare, R. E. 1992. Present and future use of fencing in the management of larger African mammals. Environmental Conservation 19:160-164. External resource
La Grange, M., C. Matema, B. Nyamukure, and R. Hoare. 2022. The virtual fence dynamic: a breakthrough for low-cost and sustainable mitigation of human-elephant conflict in subsistence agriculture? Frontiers in Conservation Science 3. Download
Laguna, E., J. A. Barasona, A. J. Carpio, J. Vicente, and P. Acevedo. 2022. Permeability of artificial barriers (fences) for wild boar Sus scrofa in Mediterranean mixed landscapes. Pest Management Science. Download
Lance, N. J., S. W. Breck, C. Sime, P. Callahan, and J. A. Shivik. 2010. Biological, technical, and social aspects of applying electrified fladry for livestock protection from wolves (Canis lupus). Wildlife Research 37:708-714. External resource
Lichtenfeld, L. L., C. Trout, and E. L. Kisimir. 2015. Evidence-based conservation: predator-proof bomas protect livestock and lions. Biodiversity and Conservation 24:483-491. Download
Manoa, D. O., S. Melubo, S. Kasaine, P. Banham, J. Willie, T. Oloo, E. Greengrass, and N. Tagg. 2022. Drivers of predator-proof boma disrepair in the Amboseli Ecosystem, Kenya. Oryx:1-9. Download
Musiani, M., C. Mamo, L. Boitani, C. Callaghan, C. C. Gates, L. Mattei, E. VisalberghiI, S. Breck, and G. VolpiI. 2003. Wolf depredation trends and the use of barriers to protect livestock in western North America. Conservation Biology 17:1-10. External resource
Natarajan, L., A. Kumar, Q. Qureshi, A. A. Desai, and B. Pandav. 2021. Evaluation of wall-barriers to manage human conflict with Asian elephants in India. Wildlife Society Bulletin. External resource
Nelson, A., P. Bidwell, and C. Sillero-Zubiri. 2003. A review of human-elephant conflict management strategies. People & Wildlife, A Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Born Free Foundation Partnership. Download
Shivik, J. A., A. Treves, and P. Callahan. 2003. Nonlethal techniques for managing predation: primary and secondary repellents. Conservation Biology 17:1531-1537. External resource
Sitati, N. W., and M. J. Walpole. 2006. Assessing farm-based measures for mitigating human-elephant conflict in Transmara District, Kenya. Oryx 40:279-286. External resource
Smith, T. S., A. E. Derocher, R. L. Mazur, G. York, M. A. Owen, M. Obbard, E. S. Richardson, and S. C. Amstrup. 2023. Anthropogenic food: an emerging threat to polar bears. Oryx 57:425-434. Download
Stone, S. A., S. W. Breck, J. Timberlake, P. M. Haswell, F. Najera, B. S. Bean, and D. J. Thornhill. 2017. Adaptive use of nonlethal strategies for minimizing wolf–sheep conflict in Idaho. Journal of Mammalogy 98:33-44. Download
Taylor, S. M., J. How, M. J. Travers, S. J. Newman, S. Mountford, D. Waltrick, C. E. Dowling, A. Denham, and D. J. Gaughan. 2022. SMART drumlines ineffective in catching white sharks in the high energy capes region of western Australia: acoustic detections confirm that sharks are not always amenable to capture. Biology 11:1537. Download
Weise, F. J., M. W. Hayward, R. Casillas Aguirre, M. Tomeletso, P. Gadimang, M. J. Somers, and A. B. Stein. 2018. Size, shape and maintenance matter: a critical appraisal of a global carnivore conflict mitigation strategy – livestock protection kraals in northern Botswana. Biological Conservation 225:88-97. External resource
Westbrook, C. J., and K. England. 2022. Relative effectiveness of four different guards in preventing beaver cutting of urban trees. Environmental Management. External resource
Widén, A., J. P. G. M. Cromsigt, S. Dressel, A. M. Felton, N. J. Singh, and F. Widemo. 2023. Direct and indirect effects of food, fear and management on crop damage by ungulates. Ecological Solutions and Evidence 4:e12266. Download
Wilkinson, C. E., A. McInturff, M. Kelly, and J. S. Brashares. 2021. Quantifying wildlife responses to conservation fencing in East Africa. Biological Conservation 256:109071. External resource
