The proposed rail fence around wildlife zones may ward of large mammals like elephants, but it is no barrier to others like wild boars that tend to ravage agricultural fields or predators like tigers and leopards — which can sneak through or jump over the fence.
Even for elephants, this method did not prove to be effective as two tuskers recently crossed over after gingerly balancing themselves on the fence and jumping over it in the Veeranahosahalli range. Nagarahole Director R. Gokul, who confirmed the incident to The Hindu, said such acts are a rarity as all elephants or even the same elephants may not be in a position to repeat it. He said though expensive, the amount invested could be made good by way of reducing conflict situations. Reckoned to be the first of its kind in the country, such a fence was laid around Addo National Park in South Africa and the park manager, Graham Armstrong, is credited with conceiving the concept.
