Australia’s vast landscapes are home to a rich diversity of native wildlife, yet many species face dangers that are rarely seen or discussed. One of the lesser-known but devastating threats comes from barbed wire fencing, a common feature on rural properties that inadvertently traps and injures animals.
A recent case in Sutherlands Creek, Victoria, has brought renewed attention to the issue. As reported by Yahoo News Australia, a motorist discovered a deceased mother kangaroo caught in a barbed wire fence, with a tiny joey still in her pouch.
This tragic discovery is not an isolated incident but part of a wider problem affecting native species across the country.
Kangaroos and the Dangers of Barbed Wire Fencing
Barbed wire fencing is widely used to secure farmland and rural properties, but it poses significant risks to Australian wildlife. Kangaroos, known for their powerful leaps, often fail to clear fences at full speed, leading to entanglement.
According to wildlife rescue groups, these incidents—referred to as “fence hangers”—are alarmingly frequent.
He explained that they get “caught by one or both feet, resulting in injuries ranging from mild cuts to broken legs, hips, or even the spine, depending on how long they’ve been trapped,” a representative from Bannockburn Wildlife Rescue explained.
The longer an animal remains trapped, the more severe its suffering becomes, with many succumbing to stress, dehydration, or predation before they are found.
A Widespread but Underreported Crisis
Despite the frequency of these accidents, many cases go unreported. Wildlife rescuers in Victoria and New South Wales estimate that at least one kangaroo per day is found ensnared in fencing.
In some instances, kangaroos can be saved, as seen in a recent case in Whittlesea, where rescuers managed to free an animal dangling by one foot. However, such interventions require quick response times and extensive resources, both of which are limited.
Conservation groups have long advocated for safer fencing alternatives, but the adoption of these measures has been slow.
Calls for Change and Practical Solutions
Efforts to mitigate the dangers of barbed wire fencing have been met with resistance from property owners, many of whom are reluctant to modify their fences due to cost and time constraints. However, some landowners have taken proactive steps.
Doug Gimesy, a property owner in Victoria, spent nearly ten months removing 17 kilometres of barbed wire fencing after witnessing a kangaroo trapped on his land.
“I’d spend two to three hours a day cutting the wire and hand roll it for recycling… I cut each line from each post and after about 100 metres I would hand roll it and then start again… I literally walked all the fence lines of my property twice after realising I had to remove both of the top wires, not only the one,” he explained.
His actions have been praised by conservationists as an example of how individuals can make a difference. Other suggested solutions include attaching white or reflective tape to fence tops, which makes them more visible to kangaroos at night.
The Ongoing Battle to Protect Australia’s Wildlife
For wildlife rescuers, the fight against barbed wire fencing remains an uphill battle. While some landowners are willing to make changes, many others are either unaware of the risks or unwilling to alter their fencing.
Rescue groups urge the government to consider incentives for landowners who replace barbed wire with safer alternatives, as well as increased public education on the issue.
“We don’t know what the long-term solution is,” Summer admitted. “It feels like we’re fighting a losing battle.”
Without policy changes or widespread public awareness, barbed wire will continue to endanger native wildlife across Australia.
