Bald ibises protected against electricity

ŞANLIURFA – Anadolu Agency

In the southeastern province of Şanlıurfa’s Birecik district, the wires in power transmission lines have been isolated to protect bald ibises from electric currents. 

According to a written statement by the Dicle Electric Distribution Company, the Forestry Ministry Directorate General for Nature Conservation and National Parks has asked the company to take measures as some of the bald ibises that are under protection have died on the wires. 

Following an investigation, relevant teams identified the area where bald ibises fly through the Euphrates Valley and the distribution lines on this route were completely isolated. 

Thanks to this project initiated in April to protect the bald ibises, no bald ibis has died since then. 

According to the statement, 13 bald ibises died in 2016 and two bald ibises died in 2017 because of electric distribution lines. 

The bald ibis, which is almost extinct, is on the Red List of Threatened Species published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). Works have been carried out in the Bald Ibis Reproduction Station established in 1977 for the reproduction of these birds.