Conservation groups have raised alarms after two Griffon Vultures (Gyps fulvus) were electrocuted on electricity poles of the Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) last Saturday.
This incident, which occurred on the EAC’s Medium Voltage network supplying a CYTA antenna between Kelokedara and Salamiou, is the latest in a series of similar fatalities affecting the endangered species.
This follows the death of another vulture at the same location in April 2022 and a collision-related fatality in 2018.
The poles, situated within the core habitat of the Griffon Vulture, pose a significant threat to the already fragile population, which now numbers only twenty-seven birds, according to a joint announcement by BirdLife Cyprus, Terra Cypria, the Vulture Conservation Foundation and the Game and Fauna Service.
Despite the EAC’s previous commitments to insulate these dangerous poles, conservationists, express frustration over the lack of concrete actions. The groups stress the importance of adopting measures such as underground cabling, insulated cables, and safe-type poles, which are standard in many European countries to prevent such fatalities.
The recent deaths are a stark reminder of the ongoing risk posed to these vultures, which frequently use the area for foraging and rest on the poles.
They explain that both Griffon Vultures and Bonelli’s Eagles (Aquila fasciata) are severely impacted by collisions and electrocutions, which are significant causes of mortality.
Data from satellite transmitters indicate that these threats are the second leading cause of death for vultures and the third for Bonelli’s eagles in Cyprus. Since 2018, at least five vultures and nine eagles have died due to such incidents, with actual numbers likely higher due to unreported cases, the groups say in their announcement.
Conservationists urge immediate action from the EAC, in line with the provisions of the Protection and Management of Wild Birds and Game Laws of 2003 to 2020, to mitigate these risks. The proposed measures include marking high-voltage power lines to prevent collisions and insulating high-risk poles.
“We expect the EAC to uphold its commitment to environmental protection, in line with the recent recognition as a ‘Golden Protector of the Environment’,” they conclude.
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