Wildlife Protection Team Saving Monkeys From Electrocution
Last week, several high risk transformers in the Boca Road area of Playa Peleda were insulated thanks to Refuge for Wildlife’s Stop the Shocks team. Because of recent development, howler monkeys started using the electrical cables to travel through their fragmented habitat and several were electrocuted and killed when they climbed on uninsulated power transformers. The Refuge for Wildlife rescue team responded to each electrocution, but sadly, the monkeys did not survive. In all, we lost 6 howler monkeys in that location. Like all emergency calls involving electrocutions, these incidents were reported to our Wildlife Protection Team who are collecting data on all uninsulated transformers in the area. High risk areas like this, where wildlife has been injured due to electricity, are prioritised. 
The team also ensured that 3 additional locations in the Playas de Nosara area were made safe again. There were exposed cables that needed to be covered in North Guiones, a transformer that needed a special cover in Central Guiones and a transformer in Upper Pelada that we in a high risk area where 2 monkeys had lost their lives.
Refuge for Wildlife is dedicated to protecting wildlife from electrocutions with our Stop the Shocks program. We have been working with ICE to have tree branches trimmed in high risk areas so that wildlife could no longer access power cables that lead to dangerous transformers. In areas of deforestation and development, we installed several rope bridges to provide safe crossings for arboreal wildlife. And our team has purchased and provided all the necessary equipment to insulate locations where monkeys have been recently killed – now these areas are safe for wildlife.
On average, Refuge for Wildlife responds to over 100 electrocuted howler monkey rescue calls each year. Over half of these monkeys die at the scene or have to be euthanized following a comprehensive veterinary assessment due to the severity of their injuries. Because survival rate for electrocution victims is low, focusing on prevention is the best solution.
With many areas experiencing a surge in human development, fragmented habitat has led to several wildlife deaths and injuries because monkeys are using electrical cables to access food resources. Refuge For Wildlife has purchased over $14,000 USD worth of wildlife protection equipment this year, that has been donated by local residents, to insulate transformers in their neighbourhoods where electrocution injuries and deaths are a high risk. We will be working with ICE in the coming weeks and months to install even more wildlife protection equipment and rope bridges funded by generous supporters.
There is currently no law that is enforced to ensure electrical distribution is safe for arboreal wildlife – we have taken on this task because each day we witness first hand the injuries and deaths caused electrocution. We must Stop the Shocks to reduce the amount of injured and orphaned wildlife in our care. None of this amazing work would be possible without support from the public. Help us prevent wildlife electrocutions by insulating your transformers.
If you’re interested in learning more about this issue, we invite you to view the attached comprehensive document which details the problems we are facing: Wildlife Electrocutions
