University researchers have developed a detailed risk mapping tool to identify where Tasmania’s endangered wedge-tailed eagles are most likely to die in collisions with powerlines, potentially preventing hundreds of deaths.
Dr James Pay and his team from the University of Tasmania’s School of Natural Sciences spent six years tracking 23 eagles with GPS devices.
They analysed more than 723,000 flight movements to pinpoint exactly where the birds fly dangerously low near overhead cables.
Their research, published in the Journal of Applied Ecology, reveals that nearly half of all known collisions happen on just 20% of Tasmania’s power line network.
Those areas have now been identified as the highest risk sections.
“Between 2017 and 2023, 110 wedge-tailed eagles were confirmed as injured or killed by power line infrastructure in Tasmania,” he said.
“The impact of collisions on the birds is significant, so rather than relying solely on reported fatalities, which can be biased or incomplete, we can now use the information we have about eagles’ flight paths to accurately predict where collision risk is highest and act before incidents happen.”
The team recorded over 9,400 powerline crossings at low altitudes and used the data to build a model that accurately predicts collision hotspots.
The study found that eagles are especially vulnerable when crossing powerlines in areas where open land meets forest edges, particularly in remote regions during autumn and winter.
TasNetworks, the state’s electricity provider, has started using the research to guide its protection work.
“Our people are very passionate about protecting iconic birds and we invest almost $1 million each year,” said Ed Parker, TasNetworks’ Leader of Environment and Sustainability.
He said the study would help the company meet its target of reducing incidents involving threatened birds by 25% by 2032.
In 2023-24, TasNetworks recorded 11 incidents involving threatened birds on its distribution network.
These resulted in the deaths of eight wedge-tailed eagles, two grey goshawks and one white-bellied sea eagle.
“We’ve already mitigated more than 600 kilometres of high-risk powerlines by installing flappers, perches and covers,” Parker said.
“We’ve also applied the new Delta design standard, which spreads lines further apart to reduce electrocution risk.”
