BARBED WIRE VERSUS NATIVE WILDLIFE
In the quiet of the Australian bush, a silent yet deadly menace lurks, not of flesh and blood, but of cold, unyielding steel. Imagine, if you will, a world where the very skies and trees that offer life and refuge to our native creatures also conceal a trap that can bring about pain and despair. This is the reality for many of our winged and arboreal companions, the unsuspecting victims of barbed wire.
As the sun dips below the horizon, casting a gentle glow on the eucalyptus leaves, a Grey-headed Flying Fox, a creature of the night, takes to the skies. Its wings, expansive and delicate, catch the air as it glides from tree to tree. But in a heart-wrenching moment, this majestic ballet is interrupted. The bat, with its keen eyes adapted to the dark, fails to see the cruel barbs that lie in wait. In an instant, its wing is caught, and the struggle begins.
The scene is one of desperation as the Flying Fox, along with Gliders that soar through the canopy and Birds that dart through the foliage, find themselves ensnared. Their frantic attempts to escape only tighten the grip of the barbed wire, leading to injuries that are not only severe but often life-threatening. Bones break, membranes tear, and the bush’s symphony is marred by the silent suffering of the trapped.
But it’s not just these airborne creatures that fall victim. Ground-dwelling animals like Possums, lured by the promise of food or safety, also encounter this perilous barrier. Their soft fur and curious eyes belie the dire situation they face upon contact with this unforgiving obstacle.
As the night deepens, many of these animals remain unnoticed, their plight unseen by human eyes. The injuries inflicted by the barbs are gruesome, leaving wounds that are vulnerable to infection and flystrike.
Yet, amidst this tale of struggle, there is hope. Hope that comes from the caring hearts and hands of those who walk among the trees and look to the skies. You can be the guardian of these creatures. By replacing the top strand of barbed wire with a smooth one, or by cushioning the cruel edges with a sheath of garden hose, you can transform a potential snare into a harmless boundary. Strips of bright cloth or reflective material can serve as a warning to our unsuspecting friends, guiding them away from harm.
The ultimate act of kindness, however, lies in choosing alternatives to barbed wire, ensuring that the skies and trees remain havens, not hazards.
For those who come across the unfortunate ones already trapped, please do not attempt to free the animal yourself. Contact a wildlife rescue organisation for help and advice. If possible, provide shade while waiting for a rescuer to arrive.
If you encounter an animal caught in barbed wire, immediately contact your nearest wildlife rescue organization.
Some History on Barbed Wire Fences
Wire fences used before the invention of the barb consisted of only one strand of wire, which was constantly broken by the weight of cattle pressing against it. Michael Kelly made a significant improvement to wire fencing with an invention that “twisted two wires together to form a cable for barbs—the first of its kind in America,” according to Henry D. and Frances T. McCallum, the authors of The Wire That Fenced the West. Known as the “thorny fence,” Kelly’s double-strand design made the fence stronger, and the painful barbs taught cattle to keep their distance.
Predictably, other inventors sought to improve upon Kelly’s designs; among them was Joseph Glidden, a farmer from De Kalb, IL. In 1873 and 1874, patents were issued for various designs to strengthen Kelly’s invention, but the recognized winner in this series of improvements was Glidden’s simple wire barb locked onto a double-strand wire. Glidden’s invention made barbed wire more effective not only because he described a method for locking the barbs in place, but also because he developed the machinery to mass-produce the wire. His invention also survived court challenges from other inventors. Glidden’s patent, prevailing in both litigation and sales, was soon known as “the winner.” Today, it remains the most familiar style of barbed wire. Glidden’s patent, No. 157124, was issued November 24, 1874. Native Americans referred to this wire as “the Devil’s rope.”
(Source: :”Inventors website”.
Is Your Fencing Wildlife Friendly?
Wildlife Friendly Fencing (WFF) is a campaign encouraging landowners to manage fencing that is safe and effective for wildlife, people and livestock.
Thousands of animals die each year in the cruelest of circumstances due to barbed wire. These entanglements often leave members of the public and rescuers distressed due to the severity of the injuries to wildlife. Nocturnal animals such as bats, gliders and owls are particularly susceptible to this hazard and are often entangled when flying towards fruiting trees or dams and creeks close to barbed wire. Flying foxes are the most common victims of barbed wire. Tawny frogmouths are surprisingly common victims too, and just this week we had a crow brought into care from a barbed wire entanglement.
We ask people to modify the fencing adjacent to these ‘hot spots’ by modifying those sections of fence in order to minimise the risk to wildlife. Often this involves relatively short sections of fence, so it’s easy to modify.
Our patch of paradise is blessed with many possums and glider species, some endangered. They are common victims of barbed wire, so we ask landowners to plant trees to shorten the gliding distance between trees, no more than 20m apart. Wildlife corridors are critical for wildlife survival.
If you have old wire on the property that no longer has a purpose, please dispose of it and save a few lives in the process. Sadly wildlife can easily get entangled in piles of disused wire or netting.
Snake handlers sometimes have the task of very slowly and cautiously removing snakes from discarded fencing, risking their own lives in the process.
The most heart wrenching rescues are those where the animal has barbs twisted amongst bone and membrane and it is a difficult process to remove the animal so that no further damage occurs. It is very important that you do not cut the animal in order to save the fence as one could only imagine the pain this would cause (I know it sounds silly but it happens). It is much better for the animal if you contact a Wildlife organisation before considering removing the animal, as pain killers from the vet are vital.
These animals might have been on the wire for many hours or sometimes days and are usually dehydrated and in severe pain, so do your best to make them as comfortable as possible ( provide shade) whilst you await further instructions from trained rescuers.