Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou has ordered a nationwide safety upgrade of water reservoirs to prevent wildlife deaths, with new requirements for escape ramps and protective fencing.
The Water Development Department (WDD) will conduct inspections of existing reservoir fencing and implement necessary repairs, whilst new artificial lakes will require specific design features to ensure animal escape routes, the ministry said.
Environmental authorities will incorporate wildlife protection requirements into environmental permits for new projects, mandating designs that facilitate animal escape from water facilities.
“Even with fencing in place, animals often find ways to access these reservoirs“, a ministry statement said.
“Escape ramps are crucial for increasing survival chances if animals become trapped”.
The initiative extends to private reservoir owners, who are being urged to install protective fencing and maintain regular safety inspections.
Technical specifications require escape ramps to be at least one metre wide, set at approximately 45-degree angles, with larger reservoirs needing ramps every 10-15 metres.
The ministry emphasised that membrane-lined tanks pose particular risks due to their slippery surfaces, making escape nearly impossible without proper safety features.
Recommended construction materials for escape ramps include water-resistant metal mesh for traction, durable wood for structural support, and weighted bases using plastic pipes filled with inert materials.
“These measures represent a significant step towards wildlife protection”, the ministry said, adding that regular maintenance of escape ramps is essential to ensure their effectiveness.
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