To: Katelyn Dotson, Wildlife Program Coordinator

From: Joan Onuzuruike, Wildlife Program Assistant

Date: 03/20/18
Subject: Replacing Older Power Poles with Avian-Friendly Power Poles
Reference: Help prevent the number of eagles getting electrocuted
Action Required: Start production of new power poles by 06/20/2018.
Distribution List: American Foundation Organization

Many eagle species have been electrocuted by power lines for many years without any solutions
on how to prevent this from happening. One of the main reasons why eagles are becoming
endangered is because of the high risk of death by electrocution by power poles and power lines,
that weren’t made for them. A new study, conducted by researchers from EDM International,
focuses on preventing bird electrocution through the identification and correction of high-risk
pylons (Wiley, 2018). To help prevent eagles from being electrocuted, these researchers have
developed new techniques to change the power lines so that eagles will not be harmed when they
land and rest on power lines. Using this technique on power poles and power lines can help save
millions of eagles from being electrocuted.

Summary
The main wildlife animal that’s affected the most by electrocution are bald eagles and raptors, but
those birds dying from electrocution is nothing new. In fact, it’s a major problem across the world,
mainly in areas that use high voltage power lines as their main source of electricity. These eagle
species can vary from different regions around the world, but we must first start by preventing
eagles from dying of electrocution in America. Therefore, I recommend that our organization help
retrofit power poles with avian-friendly power poles and power lines. Using these new power poles
could help save millions of eagles from being electrocuted.

Eagles Endangered by Power Poles

Electrocution wasn’t a major cause of death for eagles until humans started to invade their natural
habitats by tearing down the nesting grounds of eagles and building cities that use electricity. Most
of these eagles usually don’t have anywhere to go, so they stay in the same area that they’re used
to, even if it looks different to them. Living in any city that uses electricity can be dangerous for
many wildlife animals, especially eagles. We fail to realize just how dangerous living in these
cities are for them. Neighborhoods that have been around for many decades have infrastructure
that is slowly disintegrating, without anyone caring to maintain or check on the poorly maintained
buildings. According to the results of mortality rate, located on the next page, the number of eagles
getting electrocuted, diagnosed by Region from 2014 to 2018, is high in the Midwest and will
continue to rise if nothing is done to reduce the problem. After doing more research on which state
had the highest mortality rate, I found out Kansas had the highest mortality rate, out of all 50 states.
Results of Mortality Rate

Average Electrocuted Rate of Eagles

Diagnosed by Region, 2014-2018
6%
11%
37%

18%

28%

Midwest South West East North

How Are Eagles Electrocuted?

Perching and Nesting
If an eagle perches or nests, on top of power poles, then electrocution can occur. This happens
when a bird completes a circuit by simultaneously touching two energized parts or touches one
energized part and a grounded part of the electrical equipment on a power pole, specifically with
the span of an eagle’s wings (American Eagle Foundation, 2018). In other words, these birds are
most likely electrocuted because of the conducting wires being placed too close together.

Carrying Wet Prey

When a bird’s feathers, talons, or beak encounters power lines, then conduction can occur. The
outcome is even worse when the bird is wet or when the eagle is carrying wet prey.

Collision
Another terrifying outcome for eagles is when they collide with power lines because of them
having limited sight; they are often electrocuted because of this. Bird size, agility, experience,
flocking, territorial activities, courtship activities, weather, time of day, human activities,
configuration, location of the power line, line placement, and line size can all contribute to these
collisions also (American Eagle Foundation, 2018).

Why Are Eagles Electrocuted?

After doing some research, I found that much of electrocutions occur on medium-voltage
distribution lines because of the spacing between conductors that are often at times narrow enough
to be bridged by a bird’s wingspan. In addition to one to three conductors, these harmful power
poles may also carry ground wires, transformers, or grounded metal braces (Thomas, 2018).
Because this can become very dangerous for many eagles, major modifications need to be done to
power poles, so that eagles can live safely without being electrocuted. Retrofitting older power
poles and using newer avian-friendly power poles will help reduce the number of eagles getting
electrocuted.

Why Avian-Friendly Power Poles?

Using avian-friendly power poles will help prevent eagles from getting electrocuted by ensuring a
safe distance between the wires and the grounded parts on power poles. To prevent eagles from
getting electrocuted from pre-existing power poles, using a 10-foot cross-arm may allow 60-inch
separation between each conductor (American Eagle Foundation, 2018). But that is not always the
case. Some power poles may need to be replaced where more eagle fatalities have occurred. Even
though replacing the entire power pole can get costly, it’s a better option because minor
modifications will not help reduce the numbers of eagles electrocuted, if the power pole has other
possible dangerous conditions. This will also affect the safety of eagles. If anything was to happen
on our watch, then signing an avian-protection plan will further protect us.

What is an Avian-Protection Plan?

An avian-protection plan is a utility-specific document that delineates a program designed to
reduce the operational and avian risks that result from avian interactions with electric utility
facilities (APLIC & USFWS, 2005). An avian-protection plan will show this organization how to
reduce the mortality rate and how to enhance the eagle population. This protection plan will help
train our organization on standard procedures and policies for all the right equipment needed, and
proper installation on how to construct these new power poles and power lines. The protection
plan will also protect our organization when there is a situation that we cannot control. For
example, when an eagle is electrocuted, then this protection plan will help us cover the cost and
damage, while also helping us transition into the production of avian-friendly power poles easily.

How Much Will It Cost to Replace These Power Poles?

A typical cost to replace an average power pole would be approximately $2,500. The most cost-
effective approach to reducing power line related mortality will likely be to implement bird-
friendly design strategies at new power lines whenever possible. Retrofitting of existing power
poles will cost anywhere between $500-$1000. Instead of building newer power poles, retrofitting
older power poles can help reduce the cost of material needed and the labor involved.

Conclusion
Research has proven the different ways to prevent eagles from being electrocuted, so that eagles
of different species can live up to their normal lifespan. I want our organization to continue helping
all eagles thrive in a healthy environment. This includes allowing them to perch safely on top of
power poles that are avian-friendly. By retrofitting power poles to implement these new designs,
we will be saving millions of eagles from an untimely death.

Recommendation
Avian Power Line Interaction Committee (APLIC) recommends that we can retrofit power poles
by adding a minimum 60-inch horizontal separation between energized conductors and/or
energized conductors and grounded hardware (American Eagle Foundation, 2018). APLIC funds
research projects that further the knowledge of avian/power line interactions, including causes and
solutions to avian mortalities due to power line electrocutions and collisions.
Reference
The Edison Electric Institute’s Avian Power Line Interaction Committee (APLIC), and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(USFWS). Avian Protection Plan (APP) Guidelines. Apr. 2015, www.aplic.org/uploads/files/2634/APPguidelines_final-
draft_Aprl2005.pdf.

“Promote Avian-Friendly Power Lines.” American Eagle Foundation, www.eagles.org/take-action/avian-friendly-

power-lines/

Thomas, Nancy J. www.nwhc.usgs.gov/publications/field_manual/chapter_50.pdf.

Wiley. "Mitigation techniques fall short of preventing electrocution of golden eagles on power poles." ScienceDaily.
ScienceDaily, 24 January 2018. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/01/180124085606.htm.