Environmental NGO urges telcos to protect birds that nest on towers

 

A White-bellied Sea-eagle perches above a nest on a telecommunications tower. (Anuar McAfee pic)

PETALING JAYA: An environmental NGO has called for telecommunication companies to develop policies to protect wild birds that nest on their towers, after two breeding sites were destroyed earlier this year.

The Terengganu chapter of the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) said that these towers have become the preferred breeding site for some wild birds of prey.

These towers, it explained, were chosen by the large birds for nesting because it provided a stable platform with strategic location and optimal height.

Birds will also tend to reuse the same nest each year, it said.

“Telecommunication companies in Malaysia have a responsibility to operate without destroying wildlife,” MNS Terengganu said in a statement.

Many countries had protocols in place that support human-wildlife coexistence involving telecommunication towers, it added.

The NGO went on to suggest for the tower structure to be modified by adding a platform for nesting in a safer location, away from the equipment and away from the pathways used by those maintaining the towers.

“Telcos could install CCTV to record the breeding cycle of birds of prey, and broadcast the recording live to showcase the conservation efforts their towers and company provide,” it said.

MNS Terengganu added that the companies could also develop educational resources and collaborate with schools to raise awareness among young Malaysians.

“If an active nest is found, the birds should not be destroyed, especially if they are a totally protected species, and left undisturbed until the young birds have fledged,” it said.

The NGO added that if nests become a serious problem to the safety and operation of the tower, regular checks on the towers can be carried out to identify if a new nest is being built.

“Loss of wildlife is something we all want to avoid.” - FMT