Electrocution

Electrocution

Risk Factor

Injuries or death resulting from the passage of electric current through the body.
More common in birds but also in climbing species of mammals.

Images

Click on a photo to enlarge.

Burns are usually visible on the soles of the foot of an electrocuted bird. Burns may vary from subtle red areas to burns where the skin is severely damaged.

Electrocuted raptors are often found dead underneath electrical transmission wires.

Charred feathers or fur are characteristic of electrocuted animals.

The greatest hazards for electrocution occur at poles with transformers or grounded metal equipment near the conductors.

Distribution

Geographic:

The potential for electrocution exists wherever high-voltage wires are present.

Seasonality:

All year.

Mechanism of Action

If an animal’s appendages bridge the gap between two energized components or between an energized component and grounded metal component, electrical current flows through the gap created by the animal’s body.
Electrical current passing through the body can cause irritation, unconsciousness, burns or immediate death depending on the strength (amperage) of the current, the degree of “grounding” (earth contact) of the animal, duration of the shock, degree of moisture present on the point of contact, and in the case of birds, whether bare skin or feathers are in contact with conducting wires, the latter being a relatively poor conductor.

Signs and Symptoms

Animals injured or killed by electrical accidents are often found near power poles or below power lines.
Erratic heart rhythm and paralysis in areas of the brain that control breathing and heart rate are usually the cause of death in fatal cases.
Burning or charring of hair, feathers or skin is often apparent, usually at the point of contact between the animal and the energized or grounded component.
Distribution of lesions depends on the areas affected (e.g., where the current entered or left the body).
If an animal initially survives electrical injury they are often prone to secondary bacterial infections at the site of electrical contact, usually a limb – the function of which may be compromised.

Meat Edible?

Barring the presence of other diseases, meat taken from an electrocuted animal may be consumed.

Risk Reduction

Hydro companies are continually working to reduce wildlife mortality and power-outages caused by interactions between wildlife and power-transmission lines.

Samples for Diagnosis

In general, a whole carcass is needed to determine if electrocution was a cause of death.

Similar Diseases

A dead animal found beside or near power poles or power lines cannot immediately be assumed to have been electrocuted – birds often collide with power lines without electrical injury and are often found underneath. See also trauma.