Bonelli's Eagle electrocution risk in Israel can be reduced by 80% by insulating only 4% of the pylons.

The article focuses on identifying and mitigating the risk of electrocution of the critically endangered Bonelli's Eagle (Aquila fasciata) in Israel due to medium-voltage power lines. Using a three-stage maximum entropy (MaxEnt) modeling approach, the study found that proximity to water reservoirs—key foraging sites in Israel's arid environment—and pylon density are the primary environmental factors influencing electrocution risk. The model predicts that retrofitting only 3.6% of the pylons, mainly those near reservoirs, could reduce eagle electrocution probability by approximately 77%, and this targeted mitigation is also expected to benefit other raptor species such as the Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) and White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla). The resulting risk maps serve both to prioritize retrofitting in the existing power network and to guide the planning of new infrastructure, offering a strategic framework for conservation efforts in arid landscapes with limited power grid data.