Foundation Creates a Shock Free Zone in Costa Rica
Pollyanna was passionate about protecting endangered species in their natural habitat. We are proud to announce that the Spirit of the Jaguar exhibition raised £5000.00 to help protect rainforest wildlife in a very specific and immediate way by creating a Shock Free Zone in Costa Rica.
Each year there are more than 3,000 electrocutions of wild animals in Costa Rica. Dozens of mammals such as monkeys, sloths, anteaters, foxes, squirrels, as well as birds and reptiles are electrocuted daily on power lines. Almost all the lines used in Costa Rica for the supply of electric service are aerial and are constructed with conductive materials without insulation.
They are a permanent cause of electrocution risk for any living being that has contact to the power lines. The low voltage or secondary lines have a voltage level of 120 and 240 volts. Medium voltage or primary distribution lines have voltages greater than 14,000 volts. Both types of line have the potential to cause the electrocution of any living being. The transformers that are installed on the poles have the same voltage levels as the electric lines, therefore they are also the cause of many cases of electrocution of fauna. The Shock Free Zone program consists of insulating transformers and electrical lines that are currently without insulation, specifically in the problem areas where the majority of accidents occur.
The majority of animals are killed outright, but around 25-30 electrocuted animals per year are taken to the Jaguar Rescue Centre (JRC), often with severe and life-threatening burns. 70% of the electrocuted animals are sloths and monkeys, and the rest are kinkajous, opossums, birds, and reptiles, among others. Each electrocuted animal represents an enormous challenge. Electrocution causes a myriad of very serious problems that usually result in death. Sometimes the animal’s body temperature increases to more than 43 degrees Celsius causing multi-organ failure. Saving the animal usually involves severe amputations of limbs and large areas of affected skin. Therefore the JRC decided to tackle the problem at source by establishing a safe zone in the region where the majority of electrocutions occur.
The Shock Free Zone program is being run by JRC in cooperation with the Costa Rican Electricity Institute and under the supervision of the Ministry of Environment and Energy. The project consists of insulating transformers and electrical lines that are currently without insulation. The Pollyanna Pickering Foundation is proud to be providing the highly specialist materials to insulate ten of the transformers – thereby covering the JRC’s entire goal for the current year!
We are delighted that the Costa Rican Electricity Institute has graciously volunteered to provide professional staff, equipment and specialized vehicles for installation free of charge, thereby maximising the impact of the project’s funding.
Anna-Louise has been invited to visit the Jaguar Rescue Centre to see first hand the impact of the Pollyanna Pickering Foundation’s work.
Click here for an update on the progress of the work!