Sheikh Mohammed sets up fund to stop electrocution of endangered falcons
A multimillion-dirham research fund to prevent endangered falcons from being killed by power lines has been set up by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
Conservationists say at least 4,000 saker falcons are electrocuted every year after landing on poorly designed pylons.
The Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Raptor Conservation Fund will have an endowment of US$20 million (Dh73.4m) and initial seed capital of $1m.
The announcement was made on the final day of an international conference in Abu Dhabi that was aimed at better protection for migratory birds.
The fund was revealed by Mohammed Al Bowardi, the managing director of the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, who called it a critical mission.
“Electrocution of raptors is a conservation priority that requires an international response,” Mr Al Bowardi said. “With the growth of power distribution lines, the problem will only get worse.
“This is more than just an issue of conservation of birds. It requires governments, regulators and private industry to have a co-ordinated response, as birds are vital in the species chain and an indicator of the health of our planet.”
The agency has already conducted a study with Mongolia’s Eastern Energy System, which found that each year, 55 saker falcons were electrocuted for every 10 kilometres of power line.
The International Association for Falconry and Conservation of Birds of Prey has called the pylons “24/7 killing machines”.
Preventive measures that would significantly cut the death toll would cost less than Dh80 for each pylon, the researchers said.
To launch the foundation, a conference in Abu Dhabi early next year will bring together scientists, power companies, conservationists and government representatives to design an action plan.
Most of the falcons killed were less than a year old. About six in 10 were females, affecting species fertility. Other affected species include buzzards, eagles and goshawks.
The birds are electrocuted when they grasp the live wire and the metal crossbar of power poles. Installing better insulators would help to prevent the deaths.
About 1 million poles may need to be retrofitted but Mongolian authorities say they do not have the funds to do it.
The saker has considerable value for the country’s economy through trade with international falconry, especially in the Arab world.
The value of the birds killed every year has been estimated at Dh360m.