KOTA KINABALU: Installing electric fencing to safeguard elephants and other wildlife from vehicle collisions can be effective, but there are some caveats.
Sabah-based wildlife management non-governmental organisations said that the approach's effectiveness depends on planning, high-quality implementation and consistent maintenance.
Responsible Elephant Conservation Trust (Respect) chairman Alexander Yee and Borneo Rhino Alliance programme director Dr Zainal Zahari Zainuddin said that electric fencing serves as a psychological deterrent, not a physical barrier.
"The very first time any elephant touches any functioning electric fence, the elephant will be scarred for life.
"A very short 10kV shock is harmless but truly shocking. The elephant's companions will see, or they could also be shocked.
"An elephant is strong enough to walk through a fence, which is where the problem lies.
"Once one elephant in the herd comes across a 'dead fence' — which, in our experience, is the usual situation in more than 50 per cent of elephant fencing in Sabah — it will know they have been tricked.
"In other words, sometimes the fence will shock them, while other times it does not.
"After that, they will realise that there must be ways to fight back against electric fencing — by pushing a post, knocking over a tree and pushing under the fence in small valleys.
"Consistent maintenance of electric fencing at all times and in all places is key.
"But such high levels of consistency are something that humans tend to lack."
On the more technical side, Yee and Zainal said this approach could work if the system and operation are planned, implemented and maintained.
"This includes maintaining one output joule per 10 km of wire, using top-quality materials and ensuring professional construction.
"Every fence post needs to be secured by electrified wire to prevent elephants from pulling out the posts."
Finally, they said that the issue is not primarily one of safety.
"Humans who inadvertently touch the wire will experience a strong shock but not killed.
"And humans can learn not to touch live wires. The scheme needs technical expertise, proper implementation and consistent maintenance."
Yesterday, state Public Works Minister Datuk Seri Shahelmey Yahya said elephant and wildlife safety was taken into consideration in the construction of Sabah's part of the Pan-Borneo Highway.