Predator fencing begins at Bushy Park

The hip measurements of juvenile mice have been a critical part of the research needed for the predator proof fence being built around Wanganui's Bushy Park.
Construction of a 4.8km perimeter fence around the 90ha forest remnant has begun. The reserve is also to have a 750m internal rodent fence, in case visitors to the stately Bushy Park homestead bring in rats or mice in their cars by mistake.
Construction of the outer fence has begun, and gaps any wider than 6mm have to be eliminated from the entire length of it, because young mice could potentially wriggle through them.
The type of fence being built was developed and tested over four years, Xcluder Pest Proof Fencing Co managing director Roger MacGibbon said. The price tag for the project to fence off Bushy Park's native forest was $880,000 ? unchanged since February last year. Of the funding needed, $650,000 had already been raised from grants and donations. The remaining $250,000 would be in hand in time to finish the fence by around April, Bushy Park Trust executive committee chairman Allan Anderson said.
The perimeter fence would be 1.9m to 2m high. Its posts and battens were wooden, and attached to them would be a stainless steel mesh with holes 6mm by 25mm.
An overhanging "hood" of colour steel would run along the top, and its height and angle prevented cats jumping over the fence or other animals climbing to the top and getting over.
"The shape of the hood and its positioning is the key to the fence," Mr MacGibbon said.
At the base of the barrier the mesh would curve outward for 400mm, just below the surface of the ground. This excluded digging animals like stoats, rats, mice and pigs.
The fence was designed to keep out all mammalian pests ? possums, mice, rats, stoats, ferrets, cats, dogs, goats, pigs, deer, cattle and sheep.
It was being built in three stages. First the ground was flattened with a digger, then posts were driven in and then a team of about six people attached battens, wires, mesh and hood. Everything had to be put together precisely to eliminate gaps, and it had to be strong to withstand damage from weather and animals.
Mr MacGibbon said a 45km fence of the same design was being built around Maungatautari, a Waikato reserve in the combined ownership of the Conservation Department, Maori and private property owners.
Mr Anderson envisages Bushy Park becoming a cr?che for young kiwi to live in until they are strong enough to be released into the wild.
The introduction of other endangered native birds, such as tieke (saddleback) and kokako, is also planned.