Impact of electrical infrastructure interactions on South Africa’s vulture populations

Impact of electrical infrastructure interactions on South Africa’s vulture populations Constant Hoogstad

Unique partnership between conservationists & industry Spirit of mutual trust and cooperation since 1996 Integration of engineering & ornithological skills to develop & implement solutions

40 000 km +

1 000 000 km +

Central Incident Register

CIR Database

In support of

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83 74 73 71 66 65 1400 64 1200 61 1000 60 800 59 600 56 400 55 200 54 0 49 44 41 41 31 31

Top 10 Species recorded in CIR

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Incident Report Form

Management information extracted from incident register 5. Percentage of Wildlife Interactions mitigated < 4 months 105,00 100,00 100,00 95,91 95,00

95,71

94,17 91,25

90,00

91,00

91,67

MP

Lim

92,51

87,92 85,00

85,00 80,00 75,00 70,00 65,00 60,00 W

EC

FS

NC

NW

Actual Values

KZN

G

Division

Target Values

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Today: Mitigation

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Line design

Non-conformance to standard: Design D-DT-1870. BIL NOT gapped according to D-DT-0310

Correct

BIL gap of 500mm NOT cut according to D-DT-0310 25

66/88KV Kite Frame

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66/88kV Kite Frame Modification

â&#x20AC;˘ New top frame extension with inverted post insulator â&#x20AC;˘ Composite x-arm frame extension being considered

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66/88kV Kite Frame Replacement This whole kite frame is removed Replaced with â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;D-DT7649â&#x20AC;&#x2122; top on same pole

â&#x20AC;˘ This method to become compulsory if restringing kites in vulture areas

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Vulture Behavior • Curious with a strong bite. Will ‘test’ anything within reach.

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BIRDSMART CAMPAIGN â&#x20AC;&#x201C; PRO-ACTIVE

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Eskom/EWT research: Sensitive Areas â&#x20AC;&#x201C; pro-active mitigation

Bird Sensitivity Map indicating Hot Spots for immediate attention

2016-11-10

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Pro-active mitigation: Network identification within Sensitive Areas

Elliot CNC sensitivity pentads overlaid with the HV and MV power lines

2016-11-10

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Conclusions from EWT: Focus CNCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Operating Unit

Zone

Sector

Customer Network Centre

Limpopo

Tzaneen

Tzaneen

Selati

Limpopo

Thohoyandou

Thohoyandou

Malamulele

Northern Cape

Upington

Kalahari

Upington

Limpopo

Tzaneen

Tzaneen

Hoedspruit

Kwa Zulu Natal

Pietermaritzburg

Kokstad

Underberg

Kwa Zulu Natal

Pietermaritzburg

Kokstad

Nottingham Road

Kwa Zulu Natal

Pietermaritzburg

Kokstad

Kokstad

Freestate

Bethlehem

Bethlehem

Harrismith

Kwa Zulu Natal

Newcastle

Ladysmith

Estcourt

Northern Cape

Kimberly

Karoo

De Aar

North West

Platinum

Mmabthaho

Koster

Gauteng

Vaal

Randfontein

Magalies

Western Cape

Protea

Overberg

Swellendam

Northern Cape

Kimberley

Harts

Kimberley

North West

Platinum

Rustenburg

Hennops

Mpumalanga

Emalahleni

Middelburg

Machadodorp

Western Cape

Protea

Overberg

Bredasdorp

Eastern Cape

Aliwal North

Aliwal

Elliot

Mpumalanga

Ermelo

Ermelo

Volksrust

Gauteng

Pretoria

Tshwane West

Ga Rankuwa

Kwa Zulu Natal

Newcastle

Ladysmith

Bergville

2016-11-10

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Ranking

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

Northern Cape Operating Unit

Species

Score

Blue Crane

195.0

White-backed Vulture

141.0

Ludwigâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bustard

118.0

Lappet-faced Vulture

109.5

Martial Eagle

87.5

TX sensitivity map â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Power line collision

In support of

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TX spans to be marked pro-actively across South Africa in most sensitive areas

In support of

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Limpopo Vulture Project

Woodpecker Project

Karoo Line Marking Experiment

Lesser Flamingo Tracking Project

Rapid Biodiversity Assessment Project

Ludwig’s Bustard Tracking Project

Nocturnal ‘OWL’ Device Project

Sere Dog Project

KZN crane aerial survey

Drone Project

Avian Sensitivity Maps

Kalahari aerial survey of tree-nesting raptors

Awareness

In support of

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In support of

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In support of

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In support of

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Conclusion • Partnerships/engagement with utilities enables access to information, infrastructure and funding for research • Combine pro-active and reactive approach where data allows • Variety of anti collision devices already designed,tested and approved in SA – information is feely available • Guidelines for transmission infrastructure, distribution infrastructure (structure design) – information is freely available • Please feel free to approach us for assistance/information

Feel good stories:

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THANK – YOU! Eskom – EWT Strategic Partnership Constant Hoogstad +2711 372 3600 +2782 334 4174 constanth@ewt.org.za