Are high-voltage electric fences more effective at deterrence than low-voltage fences? Interspecific differences

Previous studies investigating the deterrence effect of electric fences have utilized highly variable voltage currents without satisfactory justification. Therefore, in this study, I aimed to clarify required voltage for successfully deterring several animal species that vary in body size as well as the factors that contribute to such differences. Small electric fences were installed in a forest, and attractants placed inside and outside the fence. The response to these attractants was captured by sensor camera (i.e., camera trap), and the probability of invasion into the fences was examined for seven species of mammal. While large bodied species such as wild boar and sika deer did not enter the fence even at a low voltage of 1500 V, medium-sized mammals such as raccoon dogs and badgers required 10000 V for effectiveness. The reason for this may be the electrical conductivity of the soil. When weighted iron plates were placed on the soil and the change in electric conductivity was measured, the higher the weight the that more conductivity increased. To eliminate the effect of soil conductivity, metallic mesh was laid around the electric fence and connected to the negative terminal of the energizer. All animals did not enter the fence even at mid-range voltages, and there was no species difference in the intrusion rate. These results indicate that effectiveness of low voltage electric fences is inferior for light-weight animals likely due to the grounding not being sufficiently secured, and that the problem can be solved by increasing the voltage. •Effectiveness of electric fence differed with voltage.•Light and heavy weight species required high and low voltage, respectively.•Body weight affected electric conductance of the soil.•Grounding is not sufficiently secured by light body weight.•Increasing the voltage will increase the effectiveness for medium sized mammal.