Virtual fencing to protect Tasmanian Devils Waratah-Wynyard Council has worked with the Sisters Beach Community Association to install “virtual fencing” along the road through Rocky Cape National Park into Sisters Beach, with the aim of preventing Tasmanian Devils from becoming road-kill. One hundred high-tech ‘beepers’ spaced fifty metres apart have been staggered along both sides of the road. Car headlights activate the units which then make a loud noise to alert animals that traffic is approaching. They act like a fence to reduce the number of animals on the road. Near Arthur River on the west coast, a threeyear trial of virtual fencing was carried out between 2014 and 2017. Researchers from the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program estimated that road-kill was reduced by half in areas with the fencing installed, compared to areas without. Unless you are driving slower than 40 km/hr (which is advised between dusk and dawn on some roads due to the high incidence of road-kill), animals don’t have time to hear your car coming and get out the way. Hopefully the devils, quolls and other wildlife Display planter box at 14 days post seeding. of Rocky Cape NP now have more of a chance. To find out more visit the Waratah Wynyard Council website: www.warwyn.tas.gov.au
Two images of beepers in headlights
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