Success Story’s at lakes

 

End of Killing Birds at Lake Tengiz, Kazakhstan

1. Summary

 

In September 2000, two German conservationists, along an 11 km long power supply line, found 800 dead birds electrocuted when landing on transmission lines or when resting on power poles. This mass killing ended when the ranger station at the end of the line was equipped with a solar system. In spring 2002, the overhead power lines were dismantled. In a concerted collaboration a solution was quickly found. 

2. Facts about the Lakes

Lakes:

Lake Tengiz and Korgalzhyn lake area

Size:

Lake Tengiz: 1.590 sq. km

Korgalzhyn Lakes: 330 sq. km

Importance of the lakes:

Lakes Tengiz and Korgalzhyn are among the few relatively healthy steppe lakes worldwide.

Importance for migrant and breeding birds:

Protection:

The area is under national protection (Korgalzhynski Zapovednik) and an international Ramsar site.

3. The Problem

 

Between the scientist’s village Karazhar and the ranger station Rasvedka is a 11 km long transmission line, along which over 800 electrocuted birds have been found in September 2000. Among them were one Black Vulture, one Snow Owl, two Imperial Eagles, one White-tailed Eagle, and

The power lines provide the ranger station with energy the whole year round. The lines are exactly in the flight corridor of waders and waterfowl that regularly cross the lake. Many of them hit the power lines, break their wings and perish. Raptors lurk for their prey and risk to get electrocuted while sitting on the lines, as the electricity pylons are not – as in many other places in the world – protected against electrocution.