FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan 22 2013 12:00:00:000AM
News Media Contact: Joseph Barrios, (520) 884-3725, jbarrios@tep.com
TEP to Host Community Presentation About Raptor Protection Program
Tucson, Ariz. – Tucson Electric Power (TEP) is inviting the public to flock to a free presentation about efforts to protect birds of prey in the Tucson metropolitan area.
The public is invited to attend a presentation about the Raptor Protection Program on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013 at Sabbar Shrine Temple Auditorium, 450 S. Tucson Blvd. Tucson Electric Power employees and researchers from the University of Arizona will discuss how customer participation, study data and fieldwork have helped to protect several species of raptors, including Harris’ hawks, great horned owls and red-tailed hawks.
Attendees can meet a live Harris’ hawk from the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum’s Raptor Free Flight Program, learn about the hunting and nesting habits of raptors and examine insulated safeguarding equipment used by field employees throughout TEP’s service territory. A live great horned owl will also be present. Raptors use utility poles for perching, hunting and socializing. Harris’ hawks live in family groups, exposing them to greater risk of electrocution than other raptors.
Dr. Bill Mannan, University of Arizona Professor of Wildlife & Fisheries Science, will share data collected from more than a decade of research conducted in cooperation with Arizona Game & Fish and TEP. Research data proves that properly installed bird guards on equipment in the vicinity of active raptor nest sites and high activity areas significantly reduces electric hazards to raptors.
Tucson Electric Power provides safe, reliable electric service to more than 405,000 customers in southern Arizona. To learn more, visit tep.com. For more information about UNS Energy, visit uns.com.
Raptor Protection Program Seminar
Thursday February 7, 2013
6-7:30 p.m.
Sabbar Shrine Temple Auditorium
450 S. Tucson Blvd., Tucson
The seminar is free and open to the public. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Members of the public are asked to report raptor nest sites and injured or dead animals located near TEP equipment to the company’s Customer Care Center at (520) 623-7711, or Arizona Game and Fish at (520) 628-5376. A video about raptor protection efforts and additional information is available at tep.com/raptor.
