Exact figures are hard to come by, in some instances it is stated over the past decade 80% of the native monkey population, others that in the past five years, Costa Rica has lost 50% of its monkey population, whichever it is it is a shockingly high percentage of a countries monkey population, and it is all due to one cause, electrocution by the contact of the national grid wiring, this figure only focuses on the monkey population, and does not even account for other arboreal animal mortalities. What is also particularly alarming about the situation is that many of these electrocutions happen within national park boundaries.
These deaths and injuries ARE preventable, and have been campaigned against for over 20 years in the country, trying to encourage the government to shield and insulate it's national grid power lines and transformers, to prevent them from coming in to contact with the local wildlife. From the outside, it appears the Costa Rican government does not think wildlife electrocutions are of much concern, and therefore, there is no policy in place to insulate electrical wires, or engage in the building of monkey bridges across these dangerous lines. As a result new lines are constantly being erected with out the protection required to prevent this from happening.
To change the situation in Costa Rica, and help prevent this from continuing an international petition has been put forward, and is in need of support by spreading awareness through-out the world, to display to the Costa Rican Government that this IS a big deal, and it is something not only the native Costa Rican population are concerned about, but something that is being noticed and that is growing in concern on the global scale.
PLEASE sign this petition to support the prevention of wildlife electrocutions in Costa Rica, or simply if you do not agree with the occurrence of electrocutions. Also, if you are a Costa Rican resident, and witness this on a daily basis first hand, please take note of these incidents, locations, witnesses, ICE post #'s, and any other available data, to be be sent to the Costa Rican Governments electrical and environmental department ICE.
This is a major petition to grant an audience with the Costa Rican Government on the issue, and is required to reach at least 100,000 signatures. SO not only is it fundemental that the petition is signed, but also that you share it with the world by re-posting, blogging, facebook, twitter, etc...
This video shows the delivery of two dead baby monkeys to the environmental offices of ICE in Costa Rica, by Mary Perry of the Rainsong Wildlife Sanctuary. It should also be noted that certain members of the ICE staff are behind the campaign, and are willing to, and have given, help in the cause. It is the government and big name officials that we need to get through to.
Since publishing this story I have been forwarded a document better outlining the situation surrounding the electrocution of wildlife in Costa Rica, including a contact email address that you may get in touch to help. Please don't forget to spread the word and sign the petition. You can read the document HERE.
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