CARIE

Anthropogenic structures in grassland habitats pose significant threats to native wildlife, including the greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), one of the most imperiled species in Alberta with an estimated 54 adults in the province as of 2023. Fences, in particular, are a major issue as they are used by avian predators, such as raptors and corvids, increasing their range into previously uninhabited areas. This can have grave consequences on the sage-grouse as this increases predation rates on both the nests and adults of the ground-dwelling grouse. This project investigates the efficacy of an alternative design of fence post which may decrease the availability of perching structures for these predators. The decrease in perching availability should result from the design of the fence post, which is comprised of two pieces of metal, forming a ‘T’ shape. Unlike traditional wooden fencing, this novel design directly alters the behaviour of perching raptors by making the structure uncomfortable for the predators to perch on. This makes the alternative fencepost a potential breakthrough in wildlife-friendly fencing. To test this design, six cameras monitored the novel fence design and six monitored a traditional wooden fence from April to September of 2024, with monthly data collection. Results indicate a much lower frequency of perching events on the metal posts, suggesting the design may deter perching from predators. With the apparent efficacy of this fence design, if widely adopted, this post could enhance greater sage-grouse conservation while offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional fencing.