Two more Griffon Vultures have died from electrocution on Cyprus’s power distribution network, bringing the total number of such deaths to six, BirdLife Cyprus reported on Thursday.
The conservation group said four vultures have died from electrocution in the first four months of 2024 alone, highlighting a growing threat to the island’s vulture population.
The latest victims were two female vultures, Iris and ‘CAN’, aged three and one respectively, which had been brought from Spain as part of efforts to prevent the species’ extinction in Cyprus.
According to BirdLife Cyprus, the incidents occurred on 2 August near Agios Ioannis in Paphos and on 25 August in Pentalia, both at electricity poles. The Veterinary Services confirmed electrocution as the cause of death in both cases.
“Electrocution is now the second most significant threat to Griffon Vultures on the island,” a BirdLife Cyprus said in a post on Facebook, noting that this mirrors trends seen in other countries.
The organisation has called on the Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) to urgently address the issue by redesigning dangerous pole structures or implementing effective insulation.
Despite recent efforts by the EAC to insulate poles at Kelokedara following three previous vulture electrocutions, BirdLife Cyprus stated that the insulation remains insufficient.
The conservation group emphasised that taking action to tackle this threat and prevent further losses of this threatened species must now be a priority for all relevant agencies.
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