Golden Eagle Electrocutions – a Persistent Global Issue

Abstract

Despite a wealth of information on avian power line electrocutions, problems persist. Regarding Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos), the United States Fish and Wildlife Service estimates 504 golden eagles (95% CrI: 124–1,494) are electrocuted annually in North America. This level of mortality is deemed unsustainable for long-term stability of the North American population Golden Eagle (A. c. canadensis) when combined with other anthropogenic causes of mortality. Published evidence from Europe and Asia suggests this is also a range-wide conservation concern with Golden Eagle electrocutions reported in 11 additional countries, although the scope of the problem is mostly unknown because most carcasses go undetected. Satellite tracking is also providing useful new information about the global distribution of electrocuted eagles. In both tracking studies and mortality reports from the electric utilities, juvenile and subadults are the most common age of electrocuted Golden Eagle. Therefore, reducing electrocutions through retrofitting existing poles or designing eagle-friendly lines can increase recruitment of young eagles into the breeding population.

Keywords

• birds of prey
• golden eagle
• aquila chrysaetos
• powerlines
• elecrocuted