Bird-safe energy infrastructure promoted internationally through the Great Ethiopian Run

In 2021, the EU funded project Egyptian Vulture New LIFE was the Message Sponsor of the Great Ethiopian Run (GER) – Ethiopia’s biggest public event. Diverse communication activities gave huge visibility to the topic of bird electrocution and collision with unsafe or poorly located infrastructure. An MoU was signed between major energy and conservation stakeholders to work together on bird-safe energy infrastructure in Ethiopia.

Highlights:

• 12,000 runners wore ‘Bird-safe energy infrastructure’ on their t-shirts, and over 4 million people were informed via media channels.
• Work with grid operator EEU will identify & adapt hazardous powerlines
• Project partners continue to increase capacity to mitigate bird mortality

Main information:

Electrocution and collision with unsecured or badly situated powerlines have been identified as one of the major causes of mortality for vultures and other large birds, which contribute to the vital functioning of ecosystems. Ethiopia is a crucial stop-off on their migration route and thousands of new power lines are planned in the coming years. So that these are built without furthering endangering populations, project partners used the GER to raise awareness about the issue and brought together key energy actors to secure future collaboration for the sake of vulnerable species.