![Could a fence really stop an invasion? Discover the incredible story of Western Australia’s Rabbit-Proof Fence – once the longest fence in the world and still protecting farms today.<br /><br />This is not just any fence – it’s a 3,200 km engineering feat built to save agriculture from an unstoppable wave of rabbits in the early 1900s. Join Tim Thompson as he explores the history, construction, and modern upgrades of this iconic barrier with Deb and Ash from the Murchison Regional Vermin Council.<br /><br />You’ll learn:<br />✅ Why the Rabbit-Proof Fence was built and how fast the rabbit plague spread<br />✅ The massive effort behind its construction with hand-cut posts and buried wire<br />✅ How it evolved into a dog-proof fence protecting livestock and biodiversity<br />✅ Why exclusion fencing is still crucial for pastoral farming today<br /><br />📚 Deb’s book on the Rabbit-Proof Fence: https://designrr.page/?id=322938&token=1138384298&type=FP&h=7164<br /><br />📄 Research on dingoes in Australia: Jackson, S., et al. (2017). "The wayward dog: is the Australian native dog or dingo a distinct species?". https://www.mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.4317.2.1 <br />P 208<br /><br />👉 Watch more fencing & farm history videos:<br />How to Build Strong Dog Fences https://youtu.be/keruvDCPFRg?si=Dm4a3J6iz9DmRmWv<br />[Regenerative Grazing in the Outback] https://youtu.be/Otep3aPx7Qo?si=hMsCoSWqt_Tfg9Ix<br /><br />👍 Like this video? Subscribe for weekly farm insights:<br />https://www.youtube.com/@farmlearning<br /><br />#RabbitProofFence #FarmLearning #AustralianHistory #Fencing<br /><br /><br />Check out my website for even more content https://timthompson.ag/<br />Support me on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/timthompsonmedia<br />Facebook https://www.facebook.com/timthompsonmedia<br />Instagram https://www.instagram.com/timthompson.ag<br />Subscribe for a new video each week! New content uploaded every weekend.<br />My Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdtlC5DtsgZKCM8gislyDJw<br /><br />00:00 Introduction – Why this fence matters<br />00:38 The rabbit invasion & the urgent solution<br />01:46 How the first Rabbit-Proof Fence was built<br />03:24 Turning it into a dingo barrier<br />05:58 Why local farmers saved the fence<br />06:58 Examining original 120-year-old posts<br />09:50 Construction secrets & wire fastening<br />10:58 The modern dog-proof fence upgrade<br />14:25 The fight against wild dogs today<br />16:06 How dogs changed outback farming forever<br />18:09 Environmental impacts of dingoes<br />19:20 Why exclusion fencing still matters<br />20:22 Future of dog-proof fencing in WA<br />20:40 Where to learn more (Book & links)](https://timthompson.ag/wp-content/plugins/youtube-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
Farm Learning
Can a Fence Stop A Rabbit Invasion? Explore the Legendary Rabbit Proof Fence!
Farm Learning with Tim Thompson | 1 August 2025 | Back to All Videos
Could a fence really stop an invasion? Discover the incredible story of Western Australia’s Rabbit-Proof Fence – once the longest fence in the world and still protecting farms today.
This is not just any fence – it’s a 3,200 km engineering feat built to save agriculture from an unstoppable wave of rabbits in the early 1900s. Join Tim Thompson as he explores the history, construction, and modern upgrades of this iconic barrier with Deb and Ash from the Murchison Regional Vermin Council.
You’ll learn:
✅ Why the Rabbit-Proof Fence was built and how fast the rabbit plague spread
✅ The massive effort behind its construction with hand-cut posts and buried wire
✅ How it evolved into a dog-proof fence protecting livestock and biodiversity
✅ Why exclusion fencing is still crucial for pastoral farming today
📚 Deb’s book on the Rabbit-Proof Fence: https://designrr.page/?id=322938&token=1138384298&type=FP&h=7164
📄 Research on dingoes in Australia: Jackson, S., et al. (2017). “The wayward dog: is the Australian native dog or dingo a distinct species?”. https://www.mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.4317.2.1
P 208
👉 Watch more fencing & farm history videos:
How to Build Strong Dog Fences https://youtu.be/keruvDCPFRg?si=Dm4a3J6iz9DmRmWv
[Regenerative Grazing in the Outback] https://youtu.be/Otep3aPx7Qo?si=hMsCoSWqt_Tfg9Ix
👍 Like this video? Subscribe for weekly farm insights:
https://www.youtube.com/@farmlearning
#RabbitProofFence #FarmLearning #AustralianHistory #Fencing
Check out my website for even more content https://timthompson.ag/
Support me on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/timthompsonmedia
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/timthompsonmedia
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/timthompson.ag
Subscribe for a new video each week! New content uploaded every weekend.
My Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdtlC5DtsgZKCM8gislyDJw
00:00 Introduction – Why this fence matters
00:38 The rabbit invasion & the urgent solution
01:46 How the first Rabbit-Proof Fence was built
03:24 Turning it into a dingo barrier
05:58 Why local farmers saved the fence
06:58 Examining original 120-year-old posts
09:50 Construction secrets & wire fastening
10:58 The modern dog-proof fence upgrade
14:25 The fight against wild dogs today
16:06 How dogs changed outback farming forever
18:09 Environmental impacts of dingoes
19:20 Why exclusion fencing still matters
20:22 Future of dog-proof fencing in WA
20:40 Where to learn more (Book & links)