Mongolia · Bird Electrocution Mitigation

Mongolia's distribution power lines, 10kV and 15kV, were killing up to 18,000 raptors every year — before mitigation was implemented

A proven, low-cost solution exists. This website explains the problem, the solution, and what electricity distribution companies and private sector users can do right now.

18,000Raptors electrocuted annually in Mongolia — before mitigation

4,000+Saker Falcons killed per year — before mitigation

~95%Reduction in electrocution — result of mitigation project

69State-owned lines already mitigated nationwide across 15 provinces

Problem

Pole design creates a lethal trap

Standard 10–15 kV distribution poles use steel-reinforced concrete poles with galvanized steel crossarms and upright pin insulators. A bird that perches on a pole and contacts an energized conductor is electrocuted.

18,000

Raptors were electrocuted every year in Mongolia before mitigation — including over 4,000 Saker Falcons, a globally endangered species.

The steppe zone factor

Mongolia's steppe zone has abundant rodent prey — Brandt's Vole, Mongolian Gerbil, and Daurian Pika. This attracts large numbers of raptors to hunt near power lines. When rodent populations peak, electrocution rates increase. Every distribution line in the steppe zone was potentially lethal.

Pole design creates a lethal gap

Standard 10–15 kV distribution poles use steel-reinforced concrete poles with galvanized steel crossarms and upright pin insulators. A bird perched on the pole simultaneously contacts two energized conductors — or one conductor and a grounded surface — and is electrocuted.

Every pole was a risk

With the standard configuration, every single pole along a distribution line posed a high electrocution risk. There are tens of thousands of such poles across Mongolia's steppe zone.

International impact

The problem extends beyond Mongolia's borders. High mortality of Mongolian Saker Falcons has also been recorded in their main wintering areas in Qinghai, China.

Species most at risk

🦅 Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug) 🦅 Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis) 🦅 Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)

The Solution

Insulation covers — developed through years of research and field trials

The Mohamed Bin Zayed Raptor Conservation Fund developed a purpose-built insulation cover system through extensive research and field trials across Mongolia. The covers are fitted to the support structure — the pole top and crossarms — rather than the conductor cables themselves. This approach is failsafe: if a cover breaks or falls, there is no risk to the power supply. By leaving conductor cables untouched, the system avoids the problems associated with cable insulation — dust and ice accumulation, electrical creep, wind damage to pin-insulators, and reduced transmission efficiency. Critically, the insulation pins remain fully exposed, allowing visual inspection from the ground without any disruption to routine maintenance. Installation is simple and quick, minimising the time needed to shut down power and reducing the risk of incorrect fitting.

Pole cap cover

A two-piece insulated cap fits over the pole top, covering all exposed galvanized steel mounts and the concrete top edge. This eliminates contact between a perched bird and the top-phase conductor.

Crossarm cover

A two-piece sheath cover fits over both the top and bottom of the steel crossarm. Birds perching beside the pin-insulators on top are fully insulated. Attaches with bolts — no existing hardware needs to be removed or adjusted.

Anchor pole treatment

Anchor poles receive a pole cap cover plus jumper wire insulation (ARK sheath cover) on all conductor connections. All connections at substations and additional equipment are also insulated.

Material

Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate (ASA)

Lifespan

>70 years outdoors

Temperature range

−50°C to +70°C

Wind resistance

Up to 40 m/s

Voltage

6–15 kV lines

Power supply

No impact on reliability once installed

Research

Effectiveness of Mitigation

Four survey teams inspected 69 mitigated power lines across 15 provinces in August 2023, counting electrocuted bird carcasses under poles to measure mitigation effectiveness. The results are conclusive.

2Electrocuted birds per 1,000 poles — fully mitigated with insulation covers

35Electrocuted birds per 1,000 poles — unmitigated or partially mitigated

77Electrocuted birds per 1,000 poles — unmitigated anchor poles

Electrocution rate per 1,000 poles (June–August 2023 survey period)

Fully mitigated poles

Partial / no mitigation

Unmitigated anchor poles

Durability — covers in the field

The first covers were installed in December 2019. By February 2026, after more than 6 years in Mongolia’s harsh climate, the failure rate was zero.

Six criteria met

✅ Effective — ~95% reduction in electrocution
✅ Durable — 70+ year lifespan, <1/5,000 failure rate
✅ No impact on power supply reliability
✅ Failsafe — any failure does not affect hardware
✅ Simple & quick to install
✅ Low cost

Field Photos

Photos from field surveys and installation works across Mongolia.

An unmitigated concrete distribution pole — every metal surface is a potential electrocution point

Mitigated pole with insulation cap cover

Mitigated line pole with insulation cap cover

Full insulation cover set: pole cap and crossarm covers — dry steppe zone

Drone view of fully mitigated power line

Drone view — fully mitigated distribution line across the Mongolian steppe

Black Kites perching safely on a fully mitigated pole with insulation covers

UB Railway engineers installing insulation covers — Govisumber Province, 2026

Golden Eagle electrocuted under a distribution pole

⚠️ Golden Eagle found dead beneath an unmitigated distribution pole

Raptor carcasses collected from field survey

⚠️ Saker Falcon carcasses collected from beneath unmitigated poles — field survey

MBCC vehicle loaded with raptor carcasses

⚠️ Raptor carcasses collected from beneath unmitigated poles — MBCC vehicle

Projects

Mitigation work across Mongolia

The MBZRCF Initiative (2019–2022) mitigated 69 distribution lines across 15 provinces in partnership with seven regional electricity distribution companies. Work is ongoing — including new collaborations with Ulaanbaatar Railway.

Click any line on the map to see its name and status. Zoom and pan to explore by province.

National Initiative · 2019–2022

MBZRCF Initiative — National Mitigation Programme

69Lines mitigated

26,527Poles mitigated with insulation cover

15Provinces

Following a 5-year MoU signed with Mongolia's Ministry of Environment and Climate Change in February 2019, MBZRCF funded and coordinated the retrofit of the most dangerous distribution lines across Mongolia's steppe zone. Implementation was carried out by the Mongolian Bird Conservation Center and the Wildlife Science and Conservation Centre.

Case Study · Completed — Govisumber Province

Ulaanbaatar Railway Powerline in Choir — Public Utility Collaboration

2Lines

1,170Total poles

100%Complete

A model example of a public railway company partnering with conservation organizations. Ulaanbaatar Railway in Choir collaborated with the Mohamed Bin Zayed Raptor Conservation Fund and Mongolian Bird Conservation Center to mitigate their powerlines in Govisumber Province. Line 1 (885 poles) is fully mitigated. Line 2 (285 poles) is 100% complete. This demonstrates how any energy utility company can act with minimal cost and maximum impact.

Coverage by electricity distribution company

Company	Lines	Crossarms	Pole tops	Anchor poles
Western ESC / Bayan-Olgyi EDC	17	6,467	6,472	79
Altay-Uliastay ESC	14	5,295	5,250	0
Bayankhongor EDC	9	3,177	3,287	227
Southern Region EDC	4	2,455	2,332	196
Baganuur-Southeastern Region EDC	13	6,695	6,511	0
Eastern ESC	11	2,438	2,548	61
Total	69	26,527	26,400	563

Take Action

What electricity distribution companies and private sector users can do

Mitigating your distribution lines is straightforward, low-cost, and compliant with Mongolia's national standard MNS 6518:2015. Here is how to start.

🗺️

Step 1 — Identify your high-risk lines

Distribution power lines of 6kV, 10kV, and 15kV with standard concrete poles and steel crossarms are high risk. MBCC / MBZRCF can assist with field surveys to assess and prioritize your lines.

📋

Step 2 — Conduct a pole survey

A trained team surveys each pole — recording type, pin configuration, and condition. This determines the exact cover quantities needed before procurement.

📦

Step 3 — Procure insulation covers

Covers can be procured through MBCC / MBZRCF. They meet MNS 6518:2015 requirements. MBZRCF can also assist with co-funding options for mitigation work. Contact MBCC for supplier information and specifications.

🔧

Step 4 — Install with your engineers

Installation requires a power shutdown for worker safety. Your existing line engineers can install covers directly once the line is de-energized. MBCC provides training and supervision support.

✅

Step 5 — Monitor and report

Annual monitoring of carcasses under poles verifies effectiveness and satisfies MNS 6518:2015 compliance. MBCC can assist with monitoring protocols.

Mohamed Bin Zayed Raptor Conservation Fund

Role

Programme leadership, insulation cover design, equipment manufacture and procurement, international funding, research co-ordination and strategic support

Website

www.mbzraptorfund.org

info@mbzraptorfund.org

Mongolian Bird Conservation Center