How To Reduce Tortoise Electrocution Mortalities

Thousands of tortoises are inadvertently killed by electric fences in South Africa each year. Yet there are simple, practical steps that farmers can take to stop this. Dr Luke Arnot of the University of Pretoria’s Faculty of Veterinary Science, and Steven Molteno of the global network, Local Governments for Sustainability, explain the extent of the problem, and provide solutions.

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Tortoises have inhabited the earth almost unchanged for over 200 million years, so they are true miniature dinosaurs.

Of the 43 tortoise species that occur across the world, 14 (33%) are found in South Africa. Eleven of these (79%) are endemic to Southern Africa, occuring nowhere else in the world.

In addition, South Africa has one of the rarest tortoise species, the geometric tent tortoise (Psammobates tentorius), and boasts the smallest tortoise species on the planet, the speckled padloper (Homopus signatus). South Africa can therefore be regarded the tortoise ‘capital’ of the world.

CUSTODIANS OF THE SPECIES

South Africans, especially farmers, are the custodians of tortoises in our country, and have an obligation to help preserve the species found here.

Most tortoise species in South Africa are small in stature, but some grow considerably larger. Leopard tortoises (Stigmochelys pardalis) are the largest species in South Africa and reach a shell height of 30cm and a weight of over 30kg.

The vast majority of the country’s tortoises are found on private commercial farms and game farms.

Fences have always played a crucial role in farm management to control the movement of livestock and wildlife, and keep unwanted predators and people out of an area. In the past, most fences consisted of various forms of barbed or wire netting. However, in recent decades, electric fencing has increased in popularity amongst landowners.

Improved technology with regard to electric fencing and solar energy in recent years has made electric fencing an attractive and economical option for some farmers.

Large tracts of land are now fenced in this way, using various designs according to the intended purpose.

TRIPWIRES: A DEADLY DETERRENT