Tasmania's critically endangered wedge-tailed eagle population, estimated at around 1,000 adult birds, faces ongoing threats from human infrastructure, particularly power lines and wind turbines. Between 2017 and 2023, 110 wedge-tailed eagles were confirmed killed or injured due to interactions with power line infrastructure. To combat this, TasNetworks and University of Tasmania researchers have developed a sophisticated risk-mapping tool using GPS telemetry data to identify collision hotspots for targeted conservation. This data-driven approach allows for proactive mitigation by forecasting high-risk areas, reducing reliance on fatality reports. TasNetworks has already insulated over 600 kilometers of high-risk power lines with protective devices and new design standards to minimize electrocution risks, aiming to substantially decrease bird fatalities.
Further research from the University of Tasmania provides crucial insights into eagle behavior, such as young eagles taking over a year to leave their parents' territory. Understanding flight patterns, dispersal, and avoidance of open water, like the 4-5 kilometer stretch between Maria Island and mainland Tasmania, is vital for refining conservation strategies. Concurrently, the Cattle Hill Wind Farm is piloting the AI-powered IdentiFlight system, which detects eagles and predicts flight paths. When a collision risk is identified, the system automatically shuts down the affected turbine, significantly reducing bird-turbine fatalities and demonstrating the potential for renewable energy development to coexist with wildlife protection through technological solutions.