A More Humane Deterrent?

In wildlife news this week a swannery in Dorset has come up with a unique way of deterring predatory foxes from attacking their swans.

This image is Swan and Fox by Wolf Howard

According to The Independent a local farmer put the staff at Abbotsbury Swannery in Dorset onto a novel, non-violent fox deterrent.  Apparently foxes have a particular aversion to Radio 4.  The cunning foxes, presumably wearing hoodies, although this was not stated, would swim around the fencing and cause all sorts of damage, often killing the swans.

The farmer in question told staff at the swannery “Radio 4 is so boring that foxes won’t go near it.”

Despite initial scepticism the staff initiated the suggested deterrent, which has worked.  It has not been said what effect Radio 4 being played 24/7 has had on the resident swans, although no suicide attempts have been reported.

We approached a veterinary nurse to ask her views on the situation in the swannery.  She made this statement:

“How do they know it’s just Radio 4?  Did they try playing Radio 1?  It might just be the radio, although the Archers would put me off my dinner…”

This is one of the more insightful comments we’ve had to date.

You can read the full report here:  http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/radio-4-bores-predatory-foxes-into-submission-2334378.html

And you can like us here: http://www.facebook.com/newsnibbles – ah ya do.

The image was found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Wolf_Howard._Swan_and_Fox.jpg

It originated here: http://www.stuckism.com/howard/index.html

 

 

 

 

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