Goran Sušić

Ornithological station Rijeka

Institute of Ornithology CASA

Solving the problem of

electrocution of endangered
bird species in Croatia
Eurasian Griffon (Gyps fulvus) – wing span 240-280 cm
 Why Griffon vultures collide with windmills and power lines?

Because these birds evolved their foraging strategies in a world in which obstacles
did not intrude into their air space.
When in flight, vultures are often blind in the direction of travel

Vulture’s enlarged brows (which

give them characteristic angry
look) help keep the sun out of
their eyes – but stop them
seeing forward when they peer
down

Vulture’s wide lateral vision

(seeing sideways) allows the
birds to observe the behaviour
of other vultures in the same
airspace
Research done by Emeritus Professor Graham Martin, University of
Birmingham’s School of Bioscience
Unique population of Griffon vulture on Kvarner Archipelago (Croatia)
Recent colonies
Extinct colonies
Mortality of Griffon vultures

Electrocution (10%) is one of the

biggest threats for the Croatian
population of Griffon vultures
(next to drowning i.e. disturbance,
poisoning and lack of food)
 Electrocution/collision with power lines along flyways

Number of Griffon vultures electrocuted or injured/dead after collision with power lines is
underestimated, as most of dead birds along flyways were reported as „reason of dead unknown”
Main flyway of Croatian Griffons between Alps and Greece…

…should be protected!
White stork (Ciconia ciconia)

Nest dimensions:
• 180x180x80
cm

Nest weight:
• some more
than 1 tone

Insuficient data
about stork
electrocution on
11
electric poles
White stork’s nests on electric poles
Number of breeding
White storks in Croatia:
1.800 pairs
Number of nests built on
electric poles: 1037
57,6 % of all White stork’s
nests are on electric
poles

In 2013: 1.300 pairs

In 2016: 1.800 pairs
 Solutions for White storks: platforms

Wooden 1st type Wooden 2nd type Metal - lightning Platform on separate
conductor strips concrete pole
 The best types of platforms

Metal – „lightning conductor

Metal, „basket” type
strips” type
 Data collected by Ministry of Environment

2008-2011 – 20 White 2008-2011 – 12 Eagle owls

strorks (Bubo bubo) 2010-2011 – 11 Buzzards
(Buteo buteo) and 4
Goshawks (Accipiter
gentilis)
 Data collected by our NGO

1 pylon killed:
7 Griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus)
11 Eagle owls (Bubo bubo),
8 Ravens (Corvus corax)
1 Herring gull (Larus cachinans).
2 Buzzards (Buteo buteo)
2 Kestrels Falco tinnunculus)
1 Tawny owl (Strix aluco),
1 Jay (Garrulus glandarius)

During 6 months in 2007 and 6 months in 2008 we have collected

remains of 181 birds killed by electrocution on the Island of Cres
More than 50 of the “most dangerous” pylons were protected on
the Island of Cres only
 Protected pylons continue to kill birds of the Island of Cres

• The most dangerous pylon (no 70) killed 30 birds (including 1 Griffon, 4 Eagle owls and 3
Ravens) after it was protected in 2012
• Pylon No 6 killed 21 birds
• Pylon No 133 killed 6 birds (including 1 Griffon and 3 Kestrels)
• Pylon no 10 killed 25 birds after it was protected in 2012
• Pylon No 117 build in 2008 and killed 7 birds (including 6 Buzzards)
• Pylon 173 killed 23 birds (incl. 1 Short-toed Eagle, 3 Goshawks, 2 Buzzards, 3 Eagle owls)
• Pylon No 175 killed 23 birds, inlc. 2 Griffons, 1 Golden eagle and 6 Eagle owls)

In a period between 2008 and 2011 (after we made a monitoring in 2007 and 2008), 11 Griffon
vultures, 3 Short-toed eagles, 1 Golden eagle, 1 Peregrine falcon and 37 Eagle owls and
many other raptors were found, even under some „protected” pylons.
The beginning of cooperation of HEP-ODS and conservation bodies „started” in
1994
According to their reports, the cost of isolation material and equipment for
protection is about 130.000 euro/year
Apart of platforms for White-storks, the only other (partly) successful project was
protection of medium voltage power lines pylons on the Island of Cres. Detailed
maps of the most dangerous pylons concerning the foraging areas or migration
flyways were produced, and locations of highest bird mortalities identified during
the year 2013. During the next 2 years 57 pylons were protected.

HEP ODS has recently started an initiative to tackle this

problem systematically, and a joint Memorandum of
Understanding on the issue of bird conservation has
been signed with the Bird Life partner BIOM.
Instead of conclusion: letter to director of HEP-DOS from Dr. Martin Schneider-Jakoby, 3 June 2002
 Thank you for
your attention..

…and a kiss to
all by the gentle
Griffons 