With support from WWF’s large carnivore team, five farmers received modern electric fence systems to safeguard their flocks. After a year of use, WWF Hungary asked two of them to share their experiences. Both farmers described the fences as a highly effective measure — provided they are maintained regularly and used together with livestock guarding dogs.
One farmer recently witnessed how well this combination works. When a solitary wolf tried to attack the flock, the electric fence and guarding dogs stopped it before any harm occurred. “The system gives us real peace of mind,” one farmer said. “It works as long as you take care of it.”
To make it easier for more livestock keepers to set up and maintain such systems, WWF Hungary also created a leaflet and infographic titled “How to Set Up a Carnivore-Proof Electric Fence.” These practical materials follow the success of WWF’s tutorial video and provide step-by-step guidance on how to build effective fences adapted to local terrain, livestock type and predator presence.
Conflicts between humans and large carnivores often begin with livestock losses — but most of these losses can be prevented through proper protection measures. With simple tools such as well-installed electric fences and well-trained guarding dogs, farmers in Hungary are proving that coexistence with predators is not only possible, but practical.
You can find the infographics here: https://wwf.hu/ragadozobiztos-villanypasztor-es-elektromos-halo-infografika/