2 December 2011
UNEP/CMS Reports Highlight Threats to Birds from Power Lines
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The two reports, launched during CMS COP 10, highlight the problem of bird mortality stemming from collisions with power lines and electrocution, noting that open habitats are hotspots for increased risk from electrocution, while collisions occur in all habitat types.

Slow reproducing birds, in particular, are vulnerable to population decline or local or regional extinction due to power line collisions or electrocutions.

24 November 2011: At the 10th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 10) of the Convention for the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), two reports were launched that highlight the impact of power lines on migratory birds in the African-Eurasian region.The two reports, titled “The Review of the Conflict Between Migratory Birds and Electricity Power Grids in the African-Eurasian Region” and “Guidelines on How to Avoid or Mitigate the Impact of Electricity Power Grids on Migratory Birds in the African-Eurasian Region,” were commissioned by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP)/Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) Secretariat to an international research consortium.

The reports find that power lines constitute one of the major causes of unnatural death for birds, through electrocution and fatal collisions. Larger birds tend to be more affected by power lines, especially slow reproducing birds such as pelicans, storks, flamingos, birds of prey, cranes, bustards and owls. The reports suggest that collisions with power lines could cause their decline or local or regional extinction, citing, for example, that in South Africa, 12 percent of blue cranes die annually in collisions with power lines. Collisions tend to occur in all habitat types in the region, and especially near the water or in migration corridors.

The reports also highlight that open habitats lacking natural perches or nesting trees for birds, such as steppes, deserts and wetlands, tend to lead to an increased incidence of electrocution.

Finally, the reports highlight recommendations for mitigation measures to reduce bird mortality. These include legislative and policy actions as well as the use of creative technical measures. [UNEP Press Release] [Publication: Review of the Conflict between Migratory Birds and Electricity Power Grids in the African-Eurasian Region] [Publication: Guidelines for Mitigating Conflict Between Migratory Birds and Electricity Power Grids]


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