| dc.description.abstract | Background: Comprehensive analyses of bird deaths caused by electrocution
have so far been carried out mainly by conservationists with some legal insights,
but to our knowledge the problem has not yet been addressed from an animal
welfare perspective. Given that it is estimated that hundreds of thousands of
birds are affected by such accidents each year, a significant proportion of which
do not survive the contact with the power lines, - and the rest suffer permanent
health damage and are to be kept in captivity for the rest of their lives - the issue
is well worth reviewing to raise awareness of the animal welfare issues involved.
Objectives: Our aim was to present this phenomenon from a perspective that
has not yet been analyzed, while listening to several points of view and then to
outline what measures could be taken, if not to provide a complete solution -
which could presumably take decades – but at least to reduce such mortality in
the future, thus safeguarding the biodiversity of our planet's bird fauna.
Materials and Methods: We wanted to use several methods to assess the attitudes of people who regularly encounter the problem of electrocution of birds. In
addition to personal interviews and their comparison with the available literature,
we also prepared a questionnaire to assess the views of people who actively use
social media sites on this somewhat specific issue, which affects everyone, but
not everyone deals with it in their daily lives.
Results and Discussion: The results show that there is a widespread belief that
it would be appropriate to create a more tangible legal category for electrocutions,
which would at least allow for sanctions, if not necessarily impose them. In addition, more recent surveys and data would be essential to gain a clearer picture of
the current situation and to assess whether there has indeed been a downward
trend in the level of bird mortality in recent years. Further research would also be
needed to establish general protocols on how to provide the best conditions for
permanently injured individuals and when euthanasia is indeed justified. | en_US |
