Harnessing GIS to Save Howler Monkeys
Corrie Presland-Byrne is a dedicated conservationist with expertise in wildlife rehabilitation, marine conservation, and the application of technology in ecological solutions. She works for Hammerhead Technology, a company focused on integrating technology into conservation efforts. Corrie has been investigating the impacts of human infrastructure on wildlife, particularly in Costa Rica. Her research culminated in a presentation on GIS Day in 2023, she shared her findings on how preventative measures for electrocutions could be more cost-effective than dealing with the consequences of wildlife rescue and rehabilitation. Below is a summary of the project and its future.
Costa Rican Biodiversity and Keystone Species
Costa Rica, one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, is home to over half a million species, attracting tourists to its rainforests, beaches, and unique wildlife. Keystone species, like monkeys, play a critical role in maintaining these ecosystems. Acting as "ecosystem engineers," monkeys influence the environment's structure and species.
Home to four monkey species; Howler Monkeys in particular face the most significant threats, electrocution from power lines, jeopardizing their survival and the ecosystems they support.
Electrocutions
Electrocutions occur when Howler Monkeys use their tails to cross between power lines, they mistakenly assuming the wires are safe like branches or vines. When they touch two lines simultaneously, electricity is conducted, leading to electrocution. From August 2018 to January 2019, over half of the monkeys rescued by the Wild Sun Rescue Center were victims of electrocution. Unfortunately, 76% of these monkeys died, and of the survivors, few could be released back into the wild due to age or severity of injuries.
The map above displays the reported electrocutions from ICE (an electric company in Costa Rica) during the year 2021. There are several layers; ultimately identifying 3 areas labelled as “Hotspots”.
GIS and How We Can Use It
ArcGIS Pro was used to explore and analyze the data, adjusting symbology to identify key patterns. The focus was on gathering specific data points, including the locations of electric poles, power lines, transformers, and electrocution incidents involving Howler Monkeys. Once data was collected and organized, separate layers were created for each element and a base map was selected that clearly displayed the information. Using GIS tools, that data was further analyzed, creating polygons to determine the number of electrocutions in Nosara, as the full dataset covered the broader Guanacaste region.
General Solutions
To address wildlife electrocutions, four potential solutions were identified: regularly trimming the trees, building more wildlife bridges, insulating the electric infrastructure, and burying all the power lines.
Each solution varies in feasibility and impact, with insulation and tree trimming offering the most practical short-term benefits.
Solution Costs
The Sloth Conservation Foundation identified the costs to insulate electrical infrastructure to reduce animal electrocutions. Using GIS, “hotspots” can be found to target lines to be insulated by electric companies. The estimated costs range from insulating a single-phase pole for $200 all the way up to insulating a kilometer of three phase poles for $6000.
Identified “Hotspot” costs:
- ~$1,450–$2,500 (300m of line, 2 transformers)
- ~$11,350–$18,950 (2km of line, 2 poles, 17 transformers)
- ~$5,100–$8,400 (600m of line, 4 poles, 8 transformers)
Total costs for these three hotspots range between $17,900 and $29,850, potentially preventing 70% (33 of 47) of electrocutions in Nosara in 2021.
Looking at the Problem from All Sides
The issue of wildlife electrocutions involves two key stakeholders: conservation organizations and electric companies. Conservationists aim to prevent electrocutions due to the severe impacts on wildlife, while electric companies face the challenge of high costs to address the problem. A compromise is necessary, as electrocutions are detrimental to all parties.
Costs and Consequences:
- Wildlife organizations handle rescue and treatment, costing ~$1,500 per injured Howler Monkey, but survival rates are low due to organ failure from electrocutions.
- Electric companies face power outages, customer complaints, and repair expenses per electrocution which can range from $250 to $100,000 depending on the extent of the damage.
For the 33 electrocutions that occurred, repair costs range from $8,250 to $3.3 million, while response, rescue, and rehabilitation add to these costs.
Prevention Costs:
Preventing these 33 electrocutions through targeted insulation would cost $17,900–$29,850.
Conclusion:
Investing in insulating key hotspots, identified using GIS, is both ecologically and economically advantageous. While insulating all infrastructure is impractical, prioritizing high-risk areas could significantly reduce future costs and impacts.
Conclusion and Future Plans
Wildlife electrocutions are recognized as a serious issue, affecting both animal welfare and power reliability. While power companies are not at fault, they face challenges in insulating all infrastructure due to financial constraints. By using technologies like GIS, problematic areas can be identified for targeted interventions, reducing costs and preventing further electrocutions. Though the focus here is on Howler Monkeys in Costa Rica, this approach can be applied globally to address other wildlife issues. At Hammerhead, we are expanding this technology to track wildlife and criminal incidents in Florida, identifying "hotspots" for preventative action. We are committed to using innovation and technology to make the world better for all.
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English: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/0711a5713ce344009b5e69503951744e
Spanish: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/eba9a5c8cf1945c69a581d056899e293
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