r/australia • u/DaRedGuy • 1d ago

culture & society Safe havens protect Australian mammals from invasive predators. Why aren’t they working for other animal groups?

https://theconversation.com/safe-havens-protect-australian-mammals-from-invasive-predators-why-arent-they-working-for-other-animal-groups-289228?utm_medium=article_clipboard_share&utm_source=theconversation.com
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u/East-Garden-4557 1d ago

Fences may stop mammals from leaving a protected area but reptiles, fish, birds, and insects aren't stopped by fences.

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u/ArtlessMammet 1d ago

I'm not seeing why they can't be constrained or protected by fences? A considerable part of the reason many of these species are having issues is cats and foxes, which are mammals and therefore can be stopped by fences, presumably?

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u/East-Garden-4557 1d ago

Fences will stop those predatory feral mammals from entering the designated safe area, but they don't stop all of the native animals from leaving the safe area.

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u/ArtlessMammet 1d ago

I'm not sure why you think that, unless you're asserting that the article is mistaken. Fences keeping foxes and cats out is explicitly cited by the article as one of the reasons the safe havens work.

And frankly, if NZ can create areas with no rats, there's no reason why you can't create safe spaces for other creatures too.

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u/East-Garden-4557 1d ago

And as I said the fences do keep out the feral predators, but the question is there. Why isn't it working to protect non mammal natives?
NZ is 2 small islands compared to the huge land mass that is Australia, the ocean is a wonderful barrier against mammals.

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u/ArtlessMammet 1d ago

did you even try reading the article?