26 November 2015

DOC and Delta partner to help keep New Zealand falcon safe near power lines

Delta and the Department of Conservation (DOC) are working together to reduce the risk of New Zealand falcon/kārearea being electrocuted when they perch on overhead power equipment.

The New Zealand falcon is rare and faces a range of threats including introduced predators, loss of habitat, illegal shooting and electrocution when landing and taking off from un-insulated power structures.

DOC and Delta have formed a conservation partnership to address suspected falcon electrocutions on overhead power lines in the Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago areas. To date, Delta has retrofitted insulation to four sites in Glenorchy (near Queenstown) including several transformers and lightning arrestors. The new designs remove the ability of a falcon’s wings to bridge live wires and equipment.

Allan Munn, DOC’s Director of Operations for the Southern South Island, says DOC applauds Delta’s proactive approach.

“Delta’s efforts to minimise falcon electrocutions is pioneering work to address a long-standing issue across New Zealand. We believe they are showing strong leadership for wildlife conservation,” says Allan.

DOC and Delta will also work together to promote the New Zealand falcon story in the local community. They aim to raise awareness of the other risks to falcon and explain how the public can also help protect this special bird.

Grady Cameron, Delta Chief Executive, says his organisation is proud to partner DOC in helping conserve the remarkable New Zealand falcon.

“Over time, we expect falcon safety will gradually improve as we retrofit hazardous structures in high risk locations across the Delta’s network in Queenstown, Cromwell, Alexandra and Wanaka. Delta will label power poles that use the modified design as ‘FalconSafe’, to provide a lasting reminder to communities that falcon can now live and breed more safely.”

Any new installation will also be built to the new, falcon-safe design standard. We plan to share our developing knowledge on falcon safety with other electricity networks in the hope that other parts of the country can be made safer for the NZ falcon,” says Grady.

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