Electricity

(This physical factors section is currently used in Wildpro predominantly to link different data types and demonstrate inter-relationships. It does not contain detailed information on the physical factor itself.)

• The passage of an electrical current through body tissues may disrupt the normal nerve impulse and / or cause disruption of and damage to cell membranes.
• Electrocution has been a recognized hazard to both wild and domestic animals for many years.
• In domestic animals the main victims are puppies which chew through electrical wiring, although incidents of livestock killed after errors such as the use of a metal drinking trough as a grounding (earth) point are reported on occasion.
• In wild animals, bird are affected most frequently, due to either flying into electrical cables or using electricity pylons as perches. Pylons may be modified to prevent birds touching grounded two wires at the same time. Wires can be marked to make them more visible, reducing the risk of birds failing to see them in time to avoid them.
• In general terms larger birds are at greater risk as they are more likely to span the gap between two wires eg while perching and are often less manoeuverable and may be less able to avoid wires in their flight path.
• Electrocution associated with waterfowl (particularly swans) hitting electricity cables is a well-recognized hazard. Local tissue damage in such cases may be seen in the form of burns, often linear (following the line of the wire impact).

• Burns (Chemical burns, Friction burns Sunburn)
• Electrocution (Electrical injury, Electrical trauma, Electrical burns, Wire Strike)