An electric fence is being used on a trial basis to resolve conflicts between wild elephants and people in the southeastern province of Dong Nai, the province’s Forest Protection Sub-Department said on Thursday.

An electric fence was erected to separate elephants from nearby villagers.

The fence, which is 50km long and 2.2m high, runs along Vinh Cuu District’s Ma Da and Phu Ly communes and Dinh quan District’s Thanh Son Commune. 

The fence has a low voltage (4.5 – 14kV), preventing the chance of electrocution, according to Nguyen Van Dung, head of the Sub-department’s Preservation Division.

Electrical warning signs are posted every 50m along the fence to alert local residents.

The fence separates residential areas and farming areas from natural forests where wild elephants live, and it keeps people and crops safe from the intrusion of the elephants.

It also offers security to wild elephants, which have encroached on areas searching for food.

Dong Nai has about 14 wild elephants living in Vinh Cuu, Dinh Quan and Tan Phu districts.  

VNS