The Shock Free Zone project began several years before the formalization of the 2017 agreement between ICE (Costa Rican Electricity Institute) and the La Ceiba Primary Forest Foundation, and it has undergone significant evolution over time.

Through the years, the Foundation has purchased and provided materials to ICE to isolate transformers, single-phase lines, three-phase lines, and installing stretches of underground lines and wildlife crossings. Collaborative efforts have been made in designing and installing anti-climbing devices for wildlife in the area. kilometers of electrical lines and dozens of transformers have been isolated. In other words, lot’s of work has been done.

But electrocution numbers are growing due to the rapid urban development in the area, and so we continue our work. From prevention to advocacy, we are at the forefront of this challenge.

We are proud that the project stands out in the community thanks to various collaborations in detecting wildlife accidents, and for its potential of replication in other parts of the country.

Currently, our main focus areas are:

⁠Developing and periodically updating a map of all of the isolated power lines and transformers from Hone Creek to Manzanillo.
Selecting priority points for intervention by ICE.
⁠Purchasing ropes for the installation of wildlife crossings.
⁠Negotiating with various administrations to make the insulation of new power lines mandatory and to implement territorial planning based on sustainability criteria.

Hel us, help them!

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.

Our Survival Stories

Mamma Mia (Sloth)

Mamma Mia is an adult Hoffman's Two-Fingered sloth (Choloepus hoffmanni). Firefighters brought her from Siquirres on August 29, 2016. She came with a baby clutching her that miraculously was not affected by the electrocution. She suffered serious burns to her nose and all extremities. The right arm was completely necrotic and in poor condition and we had to amputate it at shoulder height.

Both feet were damaged with the loss of ligaments and lack of mobility. Currently Mamma Mia lives with us at the Center. She is a non-releasable animal that receives all possible care from our team. Luckily, her baby survived and is well.

Our Survival Stories

Skye (Howler Monkey)

Skye is a young Howler Monkey (Alouatta palliata) who arrived with the police from the center of Limon in October 2017. She had been electrocuted and suffered severe burns to her right hand. A finger had to be amputated. We suspect that her mother died in the electrocution.

Since then, Skye has been part of our Howlers group and is growing alongside her contemporaries. Every day she goes out in to the forest with an independent and happy personality. She is a born survivor and we are sure that we will be able to reintroduce her successfully into the wild once she reaches her sexual maturity.

Some statistics about the
Shock Free Zone Project

Since 2017 the Jaguar Rescue Center, ICE and MINAE have worked together to protect wildlife in Costa Rica's Southern Caribbean.

2.6

Power lines insulated

0 units

Transformers insulated

0 units

Aerial wildlife road bridges

6.8

Secondary power line protected

Shock Free Zone Project

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.