‘To them a power line is a line of trees’: Costa Rica moves to protect howler monkeys from electrocution
Costa Rica is taking legal steps to protect howler monkeys from electrocution caused by power lines, which are frequently mistaken for trees. The initiative follows a high number of wildlife casualties reported by rescue centers.
Why it matters
It represents a significant intersection of infrastructure development, tourism, and wildlife conservation in biodiversity hotspots.
A baby howler monkey treated with burn cream at International Animal Rescue. Thousands of animals a year are electrocuted by power cables in Costa Rica. Photograph: Courtesy of International Animal Rescue View image in fullscreen A baby howler monkey treated with burn cream at International Animal Rescue. Thousands of animals a year are electrocuted by power cables in Costa Rica. Photograph: Courtesy of International Animal Rescue The age of extinction Environment ‘To them a power line is a line of trees’: Costa Rica moves to protect howler monkeys from electrocution Electric shock is one of the biggest causes of death among wildlife in the country but a court ruling is a first step to making power lines safe
The article reports on environmental policy and wildlife welfare with a neutral, fact-based approach.
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