A dead vulture and an injured vulture have been found beneath medium-voltage poles on the Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) network in the Korfi area of Limassol. According to the Game and Fauna Service, the poles had been identified to the EAC as very high-risk points for birdlife since early 2025, well before the first vulture death was recorded.
Seven incidents in the same area
The two new cases add to five previous vulture deaths recorded in the same area. In total, seven incidents involving vultures have now been recorded there: six deaths and one serious injury.
Risk flagged in early 2025
“Of particular significance is the fact that the poles in the above area had been identified to the EAC as points of very high risk for birdlife since the beginning of 2025, well before the first vulture loss was recorded. In other words, the risk at this specific location was known and had been flagged in good time,” the service said in an announcement.
Partial intervention by the EAC
“Unfortunately, the outcome clearly shows that the partial intervention carried out by the EAC on the poles, with the installation of insulating material, has not eliminated the risk of electrocution,” the service said.
It added that this was despite its indications, concerns and recommendations. It had called for the installation of a specific type of cable, a fully insulated conductor (XLPE), or for the undergrounding of the network, measures which it said would have eliminated the risk if implemented. According to the service, letters on the matter were sent to the EAC on 17 October 2025 and 20 March 2026.
Service’s position on the network
The service stressed that interventions at points already identified as dangerous for birdlife must be timely, technically appropriate, complete and effective. The same applies to any new network construction in such areas, which include:
- Natura 2000 sites
- forest areas
- bird migration corridors
- important high-risk areas within the ranges of threatened species
Its standing position is that new networks in such areas should be placed underground, and that all appropriate measures should be taken on the existing network.
Wider risks from power networks
The service noted that power networks are a proven risk to wildlife worldwide, particularly for many species of birds of prey, through collisions and electrocutions. It said this has unfortunately been confirmed many times in Cyprus as well.
“In addition, the power network is in many cases a cause of fires, with all the adverse effects on the island’s fauna and flora, particularly in countries such as Cyprus, where climate change is one of the greatest and most serious challenges,” the announcement said.
“For this reason, our Service has repeatedly highlighted the need for the immediate adoption of all necessary corrective measures and of new policies and practices, in order to eliminate the above serious risks that threaten fauna, flora and ultimately the sustainable development of our country.”
