The release of a new report has highlighted the need for effective wire fencing among those responsible for caring for animals.
According to a report in the Independent, the document noted that London Zoo was the victim of an incident in which some of its inhabitants died.
In March last year, wild foxes passed through broken metal fencing and killed 11 of its South African and Rockhopper penguins in just one night.
The attack is believed to have occurred around dawn, which is the time between the end of the security guard’s night-time inspections and the arrival of day workers.
Keepers started their day shift at 7am and discovered the fatalities. They cleared up the aftermath before visitors arrived three hours later.
It is possible that the incident could have been prevented if the wire fencing that was breached had been fixed sooner.
Meanwhile, the penguin accident was not the only such problem to affect the zoo.
There was also a fox attack on a flamingo and on poultry, among other animals.
The report stated: “There have been fox attacks at both the penguin and flamingo enclosures. An investigation into [the penguin] incident established that the fence surrounding the penguin pool was damaged and not reported to [The Zoological Society of London.”
Meanwhile, commenting on the penguin deaths, the centre said that keepers believe a vehicle exiting the car park one evening may have damaged the perimeter fence, which pressed against an electric wire inside the enclosure, leaving a short section of fence without an electric deterrent.
It added: “The penguin enclosure had been in use for five years prior to this and there had been no previous incidents of foxes gaining access.”
Of course, zoos are not the only type of organisation that rely on metal fencing. Many businesses use such products to protect their property, while prisons and army barracks also utilise such barriers.