China’s protected areas under threat from fencing
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A new report warns that fencing is spreading across China’s protected areas, putting wildlife and natural habitats at risk.
The study, published in Science (Volume 393, Issue 6816, pages 1089–1090, September 2026), highlights how these barriers can block animal movement and fragment ecosystems.
Fencing is often used to mark boundaries or manage land. But when built inside protected areas, it can cut off migration routes and isolate animal populations.
The authors call for stronger controls on fencing to protect China’s conservation gains.