The Department of Conservation (DoC) has installed a low rope and baton fence to protect nesting areas in Kāpiti’s Waikanae Estuary Scientific Reserve (WESR) for the upcoming season.

The state government has approved the first phase by giving administrative sanction to set up 220.5 km solar fence, 2.91 elephant proof wall, and 11.35 rail fence, all worth `25.06 crore.

Elephants breached the rope fences a few times at all three study sites. Female-led herds were far more deterred (practically 100% reduction) than were solitary males (c. 50%) by the chilli–tobacco ...