The moose of the Volgograd region are in for a bit of a shock this October, courtesy of specialists at the Federal Road Agency.
Using the same technology that surrounds livestock pastures worldwide, the Electropastukh (Electric Shepherd) electric fence system intends to keep wildlife off areas of highway where animals and motorists tend to converge.
The 5-kilometer length of highway chosen for the project's trial run has seen a total of eight accidents involving animals this year.
If the trial is successful, fences could be installed along the entire length of the A-114 Vologda-Novaya Ladoga federal highway, 42 percent of which crosses wildlife migration routes, according to the Federal Road Agency.
The fence runs on solar panels and will be energized to 12 volts — just enough to startle an animal, or a man, without harming them.
For the moose's convenience, openings will be provided at 100-meter intervals. Special laser sensors will communicate the animals' presence to road signs warning motorists to drive cautiously.
In another upcoming project, called Ekoviaduk (Eco-Viaduct), footbridges will be set up in the Sheksinsky district specially for use by wildlife, making migration a little bit more akin to a Muscovite commute.
