Constant high voltages (in excess of 6000volts) in electric fences will deter most elephants but low voltage, a frequent manifestation of poor maintenance, may merely irritate a determined elephant that may then destroy a section of the fence. Because each electric fence energizer powers several kilometres of fencing, disruption of the power supply at one point inactivates a long section of fence. If power is not restored promptly the adverse conditioning associated with the barrier is lost, and long sections of the conflict boundary quickly become porous to elephants.

Illustrating this, a fences were installed in the Omay Wildlife area, Northern Zimbabwe around 3 ha irrigation blocks producing green crops at the height of the dry season. These were severely tested by Elephants throughout the growing period but none entered. At the end of the crop the fields were abandoned and maintenance ceased, consequently Elephant and other animals breached the fence and severely damaged it. In each case, the fences reduced the number of raids by wildlife, and crop production increased. Families had vegetables to eat during the dry season, and as food production became more secure there was a striking reduction in illegal game poaching. At the same time, subsistence farmers were able to spend time on other income generating activities like poultry rearing, beekeeping and carpentry.