June 22, 2018 • EPE Related News
El Paso Times: Supporting and Protecting Native Avian Species
El Paso Electric (EPE) takes great care to limit adverse impacts to our region’s avian species. EPE employees are trained to identify and safely address bird encounters with our infrastructure. We frequently work closely with a variety of agencies to ensure appropriate precautions are taken. One example is the Gila Wildlife Rescue, based in Silver City, New Mexico.
“There is an extraordinary abundance and diversity of avian species in our region,” said Jessica Christianson, Manager of El Paso Electric’s Environmental Department. “To ensure their protection, EPE routinely performs nest surveys prior to land-clearing activities and structure maintenance.”
When we encounter birds in harm’s way, EPE has state and federal permits that allow line crews to safely transfer them for care and rehabilitation needed. Among the avian species EPE has helped rehabilitate have been red tail hawks, quails, song birds and swanson hawks. In the last two years, more than a dozen birds and nests were rescued or relocated.
Recently, EPE line crews rescued three fledgling Red Tail Hawks from a nest atop EPE electrical equipment. The nest required relocation for the safety of the birds. After being raised for several weeks at the Gila Wildlife Rescue, the birds were ready to be released back into the wild where they were first found.
“This partnership with El Paso Electric is extremely special to us,” said Dennis Miller, Gila Wildlife Rescue Rehabilitator. “What we really like is the ability for the line crews to see where these animals might be in trouble.”
Line crews revisited the nesting area and were able to release the hawks once they were mature to fly and hunt for themselves.
“To be able to come out here and experience holding the hawk in your hands and be able to release it back in the wild, it’s awesome!” said Joshua Hernandez, El Paso Electric’s Lineman. “Knowing we helped the bird to survive is amazing.”
“It’s a great relationship where these line crews, employees and Environmental Department with El Paso Electric do all their work,” said Miller. “They’re really looking out for these wild animals and we really appreciate that.”
El Paso Electric (EPE) takes great care to limit adverse impacts to our region’s avian species. EPE employees are trained to identify and safely address bird encounters with our infrastructure. We frequently work closely with a variety of agencies to ensure appropriate precautions are taken. One example is the Gila Wildlife Rescue, based in Silver City, New Mexico.
“There is an extraordinary abundance and diversity of avian species in our region,” said Jessica Christianson, Manager of El Paso Electric’s Environmental Department. “To ensure their protection, EPE routinely performs nest surveys prior to land-clearing activities and structure maintenance.”
When we encounter birds in harm’s way, EPE has state and federal permits that allow line crews to safely transfer them for care and rehabilitation needed. Among the avian species EPE has helped rehabilitate have been red tail hawks, quails, song birds and swanson hawks. In the last two years, more than a dozen birds and nests were rescued or relocated.
Recently, EPE line crews rescued three fledgling Red Tail Hawks from a nest atop EPE electrical equipment. The nest required relocation for the safety of the birds. After being raised for several weeks at the Gila Wildlife Rescue, the birds were ready to be released back into the wild where they were first found.
“This partnership with El Paso Electric is extremely special to us,” said Dennis Miller, Gila Wildlife Rescue Rehabilitator. “What we really like is the ability for the line crews to see where these animals might be in trouble.”
Line crews revisited the nesting area and were able to release the hawks once they were mature to fly and hunt for themselves.
“To be able to come out here and experience holding the hawk in your hands and be able to release it back in the wild, it’s awesome!” said Joshua Hernandez, El Paso Electric’s Lineman. “Knowing we helped the bird to survive is amazing.”
“It’s a great relationship where these line crews, employees and Environmental Department with El Paso Electric do all their work,” said Miller. “They’re really looking out for these wild animals and we really appreciate that.”
Members of the editorial and news staff of the USA Today Network were not involved in the creation of this content.
Share this Article
