Don't stop me now: Managed fence gaps could allow migratory ungulates to track dynamic resources and reduce fence related energy loss

In semi-arid environments characterized by erratic rainfall and scattered primary production, migratory movements are a key survival strategy of large herbivores to track resources over vast areas. Veterinary Cordon Fences (VCFs), intended reduce wildlife-livestock disease transmission, fragment parts southern Africa have limited the wild mammals for 60 years. Consequently, wildlife-fence interactions frequent often result in perforations fence, mainly caused elephants. Yet, we lack knowledge about at which times fences act as barriers, how directly alter energy expenditure native herbivores, what consequences impermeability are. We studied 2-year ungulate three common antelopes (springbok, kudu, eland) across perforated part Namibia's VCF separating wildlife reserve Etosha National Park using GPS telemetry, accelerometer measurements, satellite imagery. identified 2905 fence interaction events used evaluate critical encounters direct effects on expenditure. Using vegetation type-specific greenness dynamics, quantified animals gained terms high quality food from crossing VCF. Our results show that perforation sustains herbivore-vegetation savanna with its resources. Fence permeability led peaks numbers during first flush woody plants before rain started. Kudu eland showed increased when fence. Energy was lowered ungulates standing found no alteration springbok immediately crossed breaches. indicate constantly open gaps did not affect expenditure, while obstacles motion. Closing may confused modified their movements. While browsing, sedentary kudu's use space less affected VCF; migratory, mixed-feeding springbok, benefited gaining forage quantity after crossing. This highlights importance access areas allow vital patches.