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.
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
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Syngenta Seedcare celebrates a decade of innovation
Syngenta's ambition is to enable their customers' investments to grow in healthy soil from treated seeds to young plants through innovation and collaboration, writes Magda du Toit.
Agri workers shine at Western Cape awards
Lindie-Alet van Staden, a garden and olive orchard manager at L’Ormarins Wine Estate in Franschhoek, was crowned as the Western Cape Prestige Agri-Worker of 2024 at a gala event recently held near Paarl.
Small and large farmers recognised at grain awards
The annual Grain SA/Syngenta awards ceremony bears testimony to the quality of farmers in the grain industry.
Growing partnerships: Fedgroup's flexible and innovative approach
Janine Ryan spoke to Warren Winchester, general manager of impact investing at Fedgroup, about why the company became involved in agriculture, and what it offers farmers and their immediate communities.
Why fish farms fail, and how to avoid becoming a statistic
The popularity of launching fish farms is not matched by their success. Leslie Ter Morshuizen, owner of Aquaculture Solutions, explores the factors that cause most of these businesses to go under.
Where history and modernity meet in a luxurious setting
Brian Berkman kept his eyes peeled for ghosts in the oldest continuously run hotel in South Africa, but all he found was a fabulous two-night stay.
THE HITCHING POST
I'm a stylish elderly lady with a radiant glow and a good sense of humour that keeps me young at heart.
Cutworms: check the weeds on your fields!
Zunel van Eeden explains why understanding the ecological interplay between cutworms and weeds is crucial for effective pest management. Producers should disrupt the life cycle of cutworms to minimise crop damage.
Does high-density grazing mimic grazing patterns of game?
In their paper on high-density grazing in Southern Africa, professors Angelinus Franke and Elmarie Kotzé from the Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences at the University of the Free State say high-density grazing systems may not accurately reflect natural ecosystems. Roelof Bezuidenhout reports.
Global grain outlook: 2024/25 marketing season
In its latest summer crops report, the Crop Estimates Committee says South African farmers intend to plant 4,47 million hectares of summer grains and oilseeds in the 2024/25 season, up 1% from the previous season. As South Africa exports maize and soya bean, Annelie Coleman reports on the latest trends in the international grain and oilseed markets, amid fluctuations in weather conditions and ongoing armed conflicts.
