“Cloudy Evening” by Larry Lynch
By Susan Kantro
See “Related Articles” below for “The Death Zone”
All raptors (hawks, falcons, owls, carrion-eating vultures) are protected by State and Federal laws. On an on-going basis, we are trying to tabulate the number of these birds being killed in this area and how.
If you are aware of a raptor that has been electrocuted on your power pole this spring/summer (or killed any other way), please contact Robert Romero of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Law Enforcement Division at 480-967-7900, ext. 103. They need location information of deaths, even if the incident has occurred in the past.
If you find a bird that is still alive but injured, call Wild at Heart, the local raptor rehabilitation center, at 480-595-5047 for the bird’s rescue.
Regarding raptor electrocutions, if the power pole on your property has not been raptor-protected by APS (raptor perches are installed and/or live wires are capped/insulated), please contact Jennifer Moore, APS Natural Resource Specialist, at 480-446-0228. Special wooden perches then can be attached to the tops of poles where birds of prey frequently land, especially ifyou live in an area near sufficient feeding grounds for the raptors, i.e., along a wash. Many have been put in place already. If your power pole is located near a known raptor nesting site, and/or has a transformer attached, it is even more imperative that you contact Ms. Moore. APS will install these raptor perches on a case-by-case basis as a free service to APS customers.
APS is trying to resolve the raptor electrocution problems that their lines and transformers are causing in our area. APS and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service both need public input regarding the location of raptor habitats and problem poles. Please help these magnificent birds living in our natural areas have a chance at survival.
Related Articles
The Death Zone: Cry for Help – Published 06/13/2015
The Death Zone: Senseless Deaths – To be published
The Death Zone: How You Can Help – To be published
About the Author
Susan Kantro, an artist and bird lover, has lived in Cave Creek for almost twenty years. Born in Washington, D.C., she moved here from New Orleans and was thrilled and amazed to see Great Horned Owls and other birds of prey from her backyard. She has distributed original brochures to local vet offices and feed stores for the last two decades informing the public how they can help these magnificent creatures survive. Susan’s can be contacted at susan_k@q.com
Recent Comments