Birds and Power Lines

[lukestrugnell]

Hi all
Was requested to keep you all informed with my work on Birds and Power lines so will periodiaclly update here with relevant stuff.

I work for Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) based next to JHB zoo. My job is primarily to conduct Environmental Impact Assessments on new electrical infrastructure that is being built and to advise on how this can be done with the minimum amount of impact on birds as possible.

Power lines are a huge issue and unfortunately effect many of our endangered bird species. Of particular concern are Vultures, Cranes, Bustards, other Raptors etc.

Birds are killed in one of two ways:

1- Electrocution when sitting on the towers
2- Collisions with the lines themselves

Collisions is the worst impact and a significant amount of birds are killed every year in this way.

We are working to try and minimise this on existing infrastructre as well as helping to design and construct new infrastructure to minimise this impact.

So next time your driving around have a look at the power lines!
cheers

[BenHur]

Cool thanks Luke keep up the good work