The Stop the Shocks (STS) program was officially created as a mitigation effort to address the increased number of electrocuted howler monkeys and lack of effective response from responsible institutions.

The STS program focuses on sharing vital information with ICE (Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad) about critical hotspots based on wildlife accident statistics from our center. The three main components to mitigate the electrocution problem in Nosara, Costa Rica, are: 

1. Programmed Tree Trimming:

Through the data collected of electrocution hotspots, areas needed for tree trimming are

identified and communicated with ICE. ICE responds by pruning branches that are in the public

areas, which is why it is crucial for property owners to trim branches near power lines on their

private properties. This helps mitigate fire hazards, reduce wear on insulating materials due to

direct contact with branches, and prevent arboreal wildlife from accessing power lines. 

2. Insulating Power Lines Based on Previously Detected Hot Spots: 

In collaboration with specialized ICE crews equipped with cranes, insulation materials are

installed at identified hotspots. This process follows legal stipulations, safety standards, and best

practices, often requiring the electricity to be turned off for several hours, sometimes affecting

an entire block or area. 

3. Rope Bridges

Critical areas are detected through a hot spot detection and analysis system to evaluate the

possibility of installing aerial bridges (or monkey bridges) for wildlife crossings in the case of

fragmented ecosystems.  

Evaluating passage routes and forest cover, according to the use category of the regulatory plan,

modeling public or private areas, and monitoring troops to identify their passage routes and

habitat use, is essential to guarantee that the arboreal fauna uses the wildlife bridge that only

ICE, as stipulated by law, can install them. 

Since only ICE is legally authorized to install protective materials and wildlife bridges on or over electrical infrastructure, IAR facilitates these initiatives by working closely with ICE and approved suppliers. We coordinate with ICE to schedule and ensure the safe installation of tree trimming, insulation materials, and rope bridges, in areas we have identified as "hot spots" - zones with high incidences of wildlife electrocutions. 

Unfortunately, it just minimizes wildlife accidents. These are simply mitigation and prevention efforts that we can coordinate with ICE. The ultimate solution would be to have all electrical cables underground. However, this is a very expensive endeavor that requires significant financial resources and infrastructure investment.

Legally, only ICE is authorized to install monkey bridges and other protective materials surrounding or in proximity to electrical infrastructure in Costa Rica. As a result, IAR cannot carry out these installations independently. We work closely with ICE and approved suppliers to ensure these installations are done safely and in compliance with regulatory standards to protect wildlife.

Until 2021, the STS program received funds from the community, which were used to purchase insulating materials for the following "hot spots": 

• 2010 - Installation of insulated cable throughout Guiones 

• 2013 - Covered a large portion of K Section transformers 

• 2016 - Covered several hotspots in Nosara: Main Road, Las Huacas, G, H, K, and L Sections  

• 2017-2018 Ad-hoc insulation 

• 2021 – Playa Pelada insulation of 50 transformers 

• https://www.facebook.com/iarcostarica/posts/4462818747132776 

IAR had no influence over the delivery times and conditions of the insulation material suppliers, or the installation schedules set by ICE. As a result, the implementation process was often delayed, making it exceedingly difficult to expedite the protection of wildlife hot spots. 

Since IAR was unable to convert funds into installations within a reasonable timeframe, we decided to stop collecting funds for this project. We didn't feel it was right to pool this money without delivering results. As noted above, the funds that were collected were used to address hot spots in the following areas:  

• 2010 - Installation of insulated cable throughout Guiones 

• 2013 - Covered a large portion of K Section transformers 

• 2016 - Covered several hotspots in Nosara: Main Road, Las Huacas, G, H, K, and L Sections  

• 2017-2018 Ad-hoc insulation 

• 2021 – Playa Pelada insulation of 50 transformers 

• https://www.facebook.com/iarcostarica/posts/4462818747132776 

Although we no longer collect funds for this project, IAR remains committed to working closely with ICE to address "hot spots" as their schedule and conditions permit.  

In order to install protective materials on transformers or electrical wiring, two participants are needed: the company providing the insulation material and ICE, which is the only institution legally authorized to safely install the insulation material. 

The suppliers of insulation materials have their own delivery times, prices, and sales conditions. Additionally, ICE manages its own schedule for installing insulation material according to the availability of its resources.

Yes, IAR can assist in providing technical advice on the needs for protecting a "hot spot" to ensure the preservation of wildlife. Email us at info@iarcostarica.org or call us at (506) 2682-5049.

IAR is committed to maintaining and updating a database with the most complete information possible about wildlife electrocution incidents. The information that IAR obtains about electrocutions and other animal incidents entering the Rescue Center will be available through our website.