In a country that prides itself on sustainable energy and eco-friendly practices, you might be surprised to learn that wildlife is electrocuted.
Help Us Collect Data
Reporting every wildlife accident is an essential part of protecting the animals of Costa Rica. With accurate information, we are able to prioritize dangerous locations and stop wildlife injuries and deaths.
The data collected is submitted to the government to lobby for change in enforcement of the wildlife protection laws.
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Rescue and Rehabilitation of Electrocution Victims
On average, IAR Costa Rica responds to over 100 electrocuted howler monkey rescue calls each year. Very often, the monkeys die at the scene due to catastrophic electrocution injuries.
For electrocuted monkeys that survive the initial shock, the prognosis is very poor. External wounds may be treated and eventually heal; however, the internal damage from the electricity can be very serious and slower to manifest.
In too many cases, the long term damage is fatal. Because the survival rate for electrocution victims is low, the best solution is prevention.
Preventing Electrocutions
With our Stop the Shocks program, we are dedicated to protecting wildlife from electrocutions. We have found that these methods are required to prevent deadly electrocutions by combining:
Tree Trimming
In order to prevent wildlife from accessing the power lines, tree branches near electrical distribution must be cut.
Rope Bridges
In areas of deforestation, rope bridges are installed to provide safe aerial pathways for arboreal wildlife to travel between habitats.
Insulating Power Lines and Transformers
Installing insulated cables and wildlife protection covers for transformers prevents electrocutions.
Success Stories
Sadly, most electrocution injuries are fatal, but thanks to the dedication and hard work of our veterinary staff, some can be saved.
Help us protect wildlife from electrocutions