Eagles and power lines don't mix. Multiple deaths of eagles have been reported due to either collision with transmission lines or electrocution.
In the North Palo Duro Canyon, we have both bald eagles and golden eagles. Bald eagles, which are on the state's list of rare, threatened and endangered species in Randall County (Randall County List), spend the winter in our canyon in numbers ranging from six to around 40. Also, golden eagles often nest in our rocky canyon walls. A book about eagles, Flying Free, by Dan True, includes pictures and research of golden eagles nesting on the Currie Ranch in the canyon.
Of further note, the bald and golden eagles and their nesting sites are protected under The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. For more information from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, see The Act.
Also, the endangered and federally listed Interior Population of the Least Tern (USFWS link and TPWD link) is known to nest along the Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River which runs through the Palo Duro Canyon.
The canyon area is also the home to the big-eared Palo Duro Mouse (TPWD - Palo Duro Mouse and Smithsonian - Palo Duro Mouse ) and the Horny Toad, otherwise known as the Texas Horned Lizard (TPWD - Texas Horned Lizard). High voltage 345kV transmission lines would pose a serious threat to the continued survival of all of these animals either due to death by electrocution or collision with the lines, or fire in the canyon caused by the lines.
Below are pictures of a bald eagle and a golden eagle that once lived in the canyon, both taken by Roberta Currie. The golden eagle's name was Lucy. Lucy's mother was shot by trespassers hunting from a plane flying over the Currie Ranch. Dan True, who just happened to be photographing the eagles when the killing occurred, rescued Lucy from the nest in the canyon wall. He and Roberta Currie successfully raised her and she thrived. Dan True's book, Flying Free, recounts their adventures with Lucy.
