Dozens of white storks were found dead in the Jordan Valley on Sunday after being electrocuted by power poles. The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel said the phenomenon recurs every year at the same location, killing numerous birds of various species.
The storks were electrocuted near the Tovlan waste site, north of the Petzael Junction. Yotam Bashan, a senior birder with the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel who documented the disturbing scene, said: "As I was driving, I noticed white storks lying beneath the power poles. I pulled off the road and drove along the dirt track running parallel to it. Over a relatively short stretch, I counted about 30 dead storks or remains of storks."
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A stork electrocuted in the Jordan Valley
(Photo: Yotam Bashan, Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel)
Bashan added that the waste site attracts many storks, which are migrating through Israel at this time of year. "Unfortunately, this is not a one-time phenomenon. Every year, dozens upon dozens of stork carcasses are found in the area after they were electrocuted," he said. "The nearby power poles serve as perching and resting spots for them. The danger arises mainly on poles with exposed electrical components."
"Because of their size and broad wingspan, when storks land on a pole or spread their wings, they can simultaneously touch two points with different electrical voltages, or a conductive component and a grounded part of the pole. That closes an electrical circuit through the bird's body, resulting in electrocution, which is usually fatal," he said.
A stork carcass near a power pole
(Photo: Yotam Bashan, Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel)
About 30 stork carcasses were found in the area
(Photo: Yotam Bashan, Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel)
Dr. Yoav Perlman, director of the Israel Ornithological Center at the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, added: "The Tovlan waste site and the adjacent composting facility are a death trap for white storks and black kites. Over the past 10 years, this power line has killed many white storks during migration seasons and many black kites during the winter. There are several power lines in this area belonging to the Israel Electric Corporation."
He said efforts have been made in recent years to prevent birds from being electrocuted. "Over the past several years, at the request of the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, a number of poles have been insulated against electrocution and others have been placed underground," Perlman said. "However, many poles still have not been protected, and the evidence is that these are the ones electrocuting birds. The problem is particularly acute with transformer poles, where protective solutions are more expensive.
"The Israel Electric Corporation must act immediately to insulate or bury all power lines around the Tovlan site, including transformer poles. The Jordan Valley Regional Council must act to ensure that such death traps are not created at the Tovlan site or the adjacent composting facility."
The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel said the white stork is one of the most iconic migratory birds to pass through Israel. "About half a million white storks pass through Israel during each migration season, roughly half of the global population," Perlman said. "Along their migration routes, white storks are exposed to many dangers, including hunting in countries surrounding us and harm from energy infrastructure. Israel is a signatory to several international conventions for the protection of migratory birds. It would be good for the state to fulfill its commitment to the issue and solve this recurring problem once and for all."
The Israel Electric Corporation said in response: "The Israel Electric Corporation is investing tens of millions of shekels in a project to protect power poles in order to reduce harm to birds across the country, particularly in the Tovlan area. This year alone, more than 1,300 poles have already been protected nationwide. Over the past two years, Israel Electric Corporation crews have stepped up efforts in the Tovlan area to protect all poles there that can be fitted with protective measures.
"We are advancing a detailed plan with the relevant authorities for the transformer pole, which cannot be protected, in order to obtain the approvals needed to place it underground. This is a complex infrastructure project requiring planning procedures and approvals from several bodies before it can be carried out, and the company is working to move it forward. The project is being carried out in full coordination with the Israel Nature and Parks Authority and in accordance with its professional guidelines."