A prototype of a portable kraal is being tested on five farms in the Western Cape, Northern Cape and Limpopo to determine how effective it is in protecting livestock from predators.
By Joanie Bergh, journalist at African Farming and Landbouweekblad
The prototype was developed following a design competition hosted by the Cape Leopard Trust (CLT), which invited participants to submit ideas for portable, predator-resistant enclosures or fences.
CLT spokesperson Jeannie Hayward says the final design was completed earlier this year with support from Panthera, an organisation devoted to the conservation of wild cats and their habitat.
The project is now in its testing phase, and the kraals on participating farms are being monitored continuously to assess whether they offer additional protection against predators.
If the kraals prove effective, the CLT hopes to share the blueprint with livestock farmers around the world, Hayward says.
They hope to complete the final testing phase next year and make the design freely available to farmers and agricultural organisations.
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