How to Choose the Right Game Fencing in South Africa
Wildlife stock is expensive and it’s imperative to protect your investment. In addition, you want to conserve the natural heritage of South Africa. To this end, game fencing serves as a barrier to protect against stock theft and animals escaping to adjacent farms, running onto the road, and moving into homesteads. 
But, protecting animals against injury is also vital. A wildlife fence must be appropriate for the types of animals that roam the area, inclusive of the smaller animals. If you have large herbivores, like elephants or giraffes, you need fences that will keep them in the allocated area without the fences causing injury to these and other animals.
For predators, like lions or large animals such as rhinos or buffalo, you want game fencing strong enough to contain the animals. You also have to keep in mind that lions, baboons, and leopards can scale fences, implying that you need higher fences that deter the animals from attempting to scale the barriers.
Factors like durability, the spacing of droppers, height, the type of soil where the installation will occur, the area to be covered, the animals to protect, and strength requirements must be kept in mind. In addition, the maintenance needs and cost of ownership should also be on the priority list when you choose a wildlife fence.
Purchasing game fencing from a local manufacturer and supplier is important. Overseas wildlife fence regulations differ from that of South Africa. The animal diversity is different and so is the vegetation. In South Africa, there is a high risk of poaching. This threat must also be addressed when you choose the fence type.
You want game fencing that meets the following requirements:
- Doesn’t rust.
- Easy to maintain.
- Fast installation of droppers.
- Right wire hole size.
- Protects against intrusions.
- Prevents animals from breaking through or scaling the fence.
- Is appropriate for the particular soil type and geographical features.
- Cost-effective.
- Doesn’t bend.
- Doesn’t break.
- Visible to the animals.
- Prevents injury.
If the fence can easily bend, it compromises the effectiveness of the barrier. Animals and people can bend open areas, which creates weak points in the fence system, leading to stock loss and security compromise.
Many animals are able to jump fences. To protect them from injuries, you cannot use barbed wire as they can get stuck or cut during the process of going through or over the fence. The wires should be smooth, ensuring that small creatures can move through without injury. For wildlife barriers, avoid a fence that has loose wires, pointy edges, creates a complete barrier that doesn’t allow tiny animals from moving through, easily rusts, and is difficult for birds and animals to see. It is also imperative to prevent situations where animals can get tangled up in the wire.
If it’s not necessary to restrict movement of the animals on the property, then don’t add more fences than needed to protect the perimeter. The fewer the fences, the better to ensure optimal environmental conservation.
Where to find suitable game fencing products?
Chemvet Steel & Fencing offers premium quality, cost-effective game fencing solutions, suitable for the African continent. Reach out for expert help and quotes on fence solutions in South Africa and cross-border delivery.