Electricity no match for near-threatened birds
The most recent fatality was recorded in May when the carcass of a sub-adult snake eagle was found.
OWING to its small population, the Southern Banded Snake Eagle is classified ‘near threatened’ on the endangered species list.
It is a race against time to prevent further deaths through electrocution as has happened to a number of birds in St Lucia.
St Lucia’s coastal dunes have become home to a number of breeding pairs of this species which is found in woodland areas, often near water.
Usually solitary and easily overlooked, the Southern Banded Snake Eagle perches quietly for long periods, often concealed within the foliage of a tree.
This ‘perching’ behaviour means the birds can often be seen on tall aerials and electricity poles in the town.
While this does not pose a problem most of the time, one electricity pole in St Lucia has electrocuted a few individuals since February.
‘This is a big loss,’ said Larry O’Dell, Chairman of Mtubatuba Bird Club.
The most recent fatality was recorded in May when the carcass of a sub-adult snake eagle was found.
Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) was notified, immediately paid a visit to the site and, in turn, notified Eskom of the fatalities.
The cause was identified as exposed ‘jumpers’ on a small number of electricity poles. Jumpers connect electrical wires to the poles, allowing the electrical current to ‘jump’ from wire to wire over the pole.
A ‘T-bar’ connects the jumper to pole and wires and is an ideal perch for the birds.
In the case of some electricity poles, the electrified jumper sits above the T-bar, exposing any bird to an electrical current, and therefore shock, on landing. Eskom paid a prompt visit to the site and says it has prioritised the problem but the Mtubatuba Bird Club is still waiting for it to be rectified.
