More than 60 wildlife species have been identified in Australia as occasional or regular victims of barbed wire fences.  Each year thousands of these animals face a cruel death or permanent disability from entanglement on wires that are invisible to them at night.  Many of the survivors are euthanased as they are unreleasable.  Nocturnal animals such as bats, gliders and raptors are especially at risk.

Barbed wire is an icon in the Australian landscape that has remained unchallenged for too long.  Fencing is integral to good land management, but it needs to be done in a way that is wildlife-friendly.  There are non-harmful fencing alternatives available that minimise the likelihood of harm to wildlife. Read more about it on the Bat Rescue website and here.

Records show that many animals and birds are threatened by barb wire fencing - possibly no fauna is safe, depending on prevailing conditions at the time. The Threatened Species Network is funding this project and Bat Rescue Inc.is actively involved in alerting us all to the problem as well as rescuing entangled bats. We can all help by providing information stories and spreading the word. Many of our actions are done without thought of other possible outcomes - other than solving out immediate concern. Read about some of the rescues and consider helping this group or project however you can. Solutions have been found. Read about them here. Collection of data is an invaluable research tool.