One-way wildlife gates
The design of these structures will vary according to what animals you are trying to keep in and out, what wildlife you are wanting to provide access to and what size all these animals are. We have included the wombat gates here although they are not one-way gates but swing in both directions.
The Wombat Protection Society of Australia will be trialing wombat gates in Victoria throughout 2022. Initially, gates will be available at no cost so please take advantage of the trial. To be eligible landowners must provide feedback on the success of the gates so that improvements can be made if necessary. It will be the landowner’s responsibility to install the gates which have been designed to fit into most existing ring lock /exclusion fencing. Contact them on info@wombatprotection.org.au
The installation of ‘wombat swing gates’ at known wombat breech points along a fence allow wombats to pass through without causing damage and the fence to exclude other unwanted animals. This project is supported through the Victorian Government Community Support Fund. Research has found installing wombat gates, can reduce fence damage and most importantly wombats will use them. Read more about it in these two brochures: WPSA wombats and WPSA gate project.
The performance of wombat gates in controlling wildlife movement through a predator fence January 2013 Australian Mammalogy 35(2):184
Western Australia’s Department of Environment and Conservation has a handout Fencing and gates to reduce kangaroo damage
Macedon Ranges Wildlife Network have an excellent Wildlife-Friendly-Fencing-Brochure brochure that includes macropod fencing.
One-way structures (Brisbane)
The Biodiversity Planning section of Brisbane City Council is in the process of having all their new structures prepared as standard drawings, available to be shared widely before the end of 2022. They include the macropod jump out and koala climb outs (a new modified design than the prototype installed on Boundary Rd). The collection also includes escapes poles, culvert ledges and a new one-way wallaby gate. They have also just (June 2022) completed the brand new koala bridge on Boundary Rd, Camp Hill and will start camera monitoring.
Photo (right): The kangaroo jump out on Bracken Ridge Rd.
One-way gates along roads (North America)
North America has issues with large mammals such as ungulates (deer, elk etc) and bears on roads. Fencing alongside roads can prevent or reduce mammal access to roads and thus, reduce vehicle collisions with mammals. However, mammals that do manage to access roads, either around fence ends or through defective sections of fence, can then become trapped on the road. One-way gates are intended to allow escape of such mammals from the road whilst not enabling additional animals to access the road. Other structures can serve a similar purpose, such as ramps up to fence-top height at one side.
Install one-way gates or other structures to allow wildlife to leave roadways
This link provides evidence-based information from North America and Europe on:
- Install tunnels culverts underpass under roads and railways
- Install barrier fencing along roads
- Install one-way gates or other structures to allow Wildlife to leave roadways
