USFWS Investigates Eagle Deaths in Powder River Basin

by Jerry Freilich, Ph.D. Ecologist

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is investigating the deaths of 77 eagles in the Powder River Basin last year. The deaths were brought to the agency's attention by concerned citizens patrolling power lines associated with coalbed methane development.

According to Dominic Domenici of the agency's Casper office, it is not yet

Photo by Dan Bacchus

clear which particular power poles were responsible for the eagle deaths. Domenici said that eagles are especially vulnerable to power-pole electrocution because their long tails and wing feathers can touch two wires at once on non-safe poles, creating a lethal electrical charge. However, older poles can be retrofitted to make them safe and newer poles are supposed to be built to raptor-safe specifications.

Sadly, the reported numbers are not unusual. Power poles that accompany rapidly increasing industrial development take a heavy toll on our spectacular eagles and other raptors.