The Saker Falcons and the problem of electrocution

Collecting data on the dangerous pylons of mid-voltage power lines in Bulgaria (Photo: Petar Iankov)

Dangerous pylon type in Bulgaria (Photo: Petar Iankov)

A dangerous pylon in Bulgaria 2 (Photo: Petar Iankov)

Dangerous pylon type in Bulgaria 3 (Photo: Petar Iankov)

Remains of Rómeó – a satellite-tracked juvenile Hungarian Saker electrocuted in Russia, September 2008 (Photo: Igor Karyakin)

Dangerous power line in Russia September 2008 (Photo: Igor Karyakin)

Dangerous pylons in Russia September 2008 (Photo: Igor Karyakin)

Remains of János, a satellite tracked adult male Saker killed by electrocution in 2010 (Photo: János Bagyura)

János, just before fledging with his nestmates, in 2002 (Photo: János Bagyura)

The pylon that killed János, Tököl, Hungary, 2010 (Photo: János Bagyura)

The carcass of Lívia, a satellite tracked and electrocuted 2cy female Saker, Törökszentmiklós, Hungary, 2010 (Photo: J. Bagyura)

Removing the carcass of Lívia from the killer pylon at Törökszentmiklós, Hun. 2010 - insulation of pylon followed immediately

The carcass of Tarchankut, a sat.tracked juv.male Saker from Ukraine killed by electrocution in Anatolia, Turkey 2011 (M.Celik)

The remains of Tarchankut under the pylon in Anatolia, Turkey, September 2011 (Photo: Musa Celik)

The ‘killer&#039; pylon in Anatolia, Turkey, September 2011 (Photo: Musa Celik)

Remains of Sepsana, a sat.-tracked and soon electrocuted juvenile female Slovak Saker, the Czech Republic, Aug. 2011 (J. Chavko)

Sepsana’s carcass on the pylon in the Czech Republic, August 2011 (Photo: Jozef Chavko)

The killer pylon with Sepsana’s carcass in the Czech Republic, August 2011 (Photo: Jozef Chavko)

The pylon that killed Sepsana (Photo: Jozef Chavko)