A friend of the Bulgarian Society for Protection of Birds (BSPB) evidenced nearby the Konstantinovo village how the bird was set on fire while flying, approaching the electric network cables, and easily localized the place where the body of the Dalmatian pelican fell. As a result of the inspection that took place, the bird was easily found. The inspection shows the clearly recognizable wounds on the body, caused by the electric shock, as on several places on the pelican`s body were missing feathers and there were uncovered muscles.
Electrical shocks cause serious damages on the bodies of birds and result in either fast or slow death. Similar accidents often lead to electric network breakdowns, as a result of which the provision of electrification at home or in the office stops. That requires timely intervention for eliminating the damages, as well as rising in the price of the service provided by the electricity distributing companies.
This case is indicative that the threat of potential dangerous electrical network still exists in the migration route Via Pontica, although the efforts and measures taken in the last two years.
In the region of the Burgas` lakes for a period of two years 60 unsafe electrical columns were isolated and 796 divertors were installed on potentially dangerous power lines. These structures were bought and installed as part of the project “Life for Burgas` Lakes”, implemented as part of the programme LEFE+ by the Bulgarian Society for Protection of Birds in partnership with EVN and the Electricity System Operator (ESO) and showed their effectiveness.
For more than half an year BSPB implements inspections of the effectiveness of the isolations and divertors and this monitoring evidence for their effectiveness. It can be undoubtedly stated that the secured electrical infrastructure saves large birds such as pelicans, storks and geese.
In the aim of decreasing and even eliminating this threat BSPB will continue to work in partnership with EVN and ESO.
Dalmatian Pelican Died in the Electric Network Cables
