Wildlife Electrocutions in Costa Rica

Each year there are more than 3,000 electrocutions of wild animals in Costa Rica. Dozens of mammals such as monkeys, sloths, anteaters, foxes and squirrels, as well as birds and reptiles are electrocuted daily on power lines throughout the country.

Almost all the electricity lines used in Costa Rica are aerial and are constructed with conductive materials without insulation (e.g. bare aluminum conductors). They are therefore a permanent risk of electrocution for any living being that has contact with them.

The low voltage or secondary lines have a voltage level of 120 and 240 volts. Medium voltage or primary distribution lines have voltages greater than 14,000 volts. Both types of line have the potential to cause the electrocution of any living being.

The transformers that are installed on the poles have the same voltage levels as the electric lines, therefore they are also the cause of many cases of electrocution of fauna.

What Have We Done So Far?

For more than 10 years, the Jaguar Rescue Center has been making various environmental efforts and actions regarding the prevention of, and bringing awareness to, the impact on fauna caused by electric shock and electrocution.

We have held multiple meetings with ICE to find integral and permanent solutions to the problem. Many of our resident animals serve as proof that there is a real need to design appropriate steps for the safety of arboreal fauna. In collaboration with ICE, several canopy bridges have been installed in the area for animals to cross roads safely instead of using the power lines or the roads themselves. We also support efforts filed with the National Environmental Technical Secretariat (SETENA) and the Public Services Regulatory Authority (ARESEP) to ensure that environmental legislation of the development and operation of power lines in the country is modified. Going forward it is mandatory that the new power lines are insulated.

Meanwhile, we feel a responsibility to continue the ongoing battle with these governmental institutions as well as to take measures that prevent and avoid, to some degree, the environmental impact on fauna due to electrocution

In 2018, ICE took greater interest in addressing the problem of animal electrocutions in the South Atlantic region.

Electrocuted animals attended to at the Jaguar Rescue Center

In the South Caribbean of Costa Rica, hundreds of electrocutions to wild animals occur every year.

We receive an average of 25-30 electrocuted animals per year, of which we manage to save and recover 30% (see graph below).

70% of the electrocuted animals are sloths and monkeys, with the other 30% mainly made up from kinkajous, opossums, birds, and reptiles.

Each electrocuted animal represents an enormous challenge. Electric shock causes a myriad of very serious problems that usually result in death. Sometimes the animal’s body temperature increases to more than 43° Celsius (109.4° Fahrenheit), causing multi-organ failure. Frequently we find large areas of tissue necrosis. Saving the animal usually involves severe surgery, including amputation of limbs and large areas of affected skin.

Sometimes animals can recover with a lot of time and effort, but their number is minimal compared to the number of those killed.