Howler Monkeys
Every year hundreds of howler monkeys are electrocuted on uninsulated power lines and transformers in Costa Rica.
Project Summary
Electrocution is the number one killer of howler monkeys in Costa Rica as many of the power lines are uninsulated. Sadly, the monkeys don’t know the difference between electrical wires and natural vines and will often travel across wires to get to feeding grounds.
The Stop the Shocks programme works to prevent wildlife electrocutions, particularly among howler monkeys, caused by uninsulated power lines and transformers. While burying cables is the ideal solution, unfortunately it is very costly and extremely difficult to do in retrospect.
Stop the Shocks, therefore, concentrates on more immediate and preventative strategies to mitigate risk to wildlife.
Local Partner: IAR Costa Rica
The Stop the Shocks programme works to prevent wildlife electrocutions, particularly among howler monkeys, caused by uninsulated power lines and transformers. While burying cables is the ideal solution, unfortunately it is very costly and extremely difficult to do in retrospect.
Stop the Shocks, therefore, concentrates on more immediate and preventative strategies to mitigate risk to wildlife.
The Full Story
The Issue: Major Habitat Loss
Across Costa Rica, rapid tourism and development are putting increasing pressure on natural habitats. As forests become fragmented and wildlife corridors are lost, animals are increasingly forced to cross human-dominated areas to reach food, shelter and other essential habitat.
When a Vine is Not a Vine
For species such as monkeys, this can have devastating consequences. When moving through the canopy, they can mistake uninsulated power lines for vines and come into contact with live cables, resulting in severe injury or death from electrocution.
Urgent Action Needed
We have collaborated with the region’s electricity company to implement solutions like insulating power lines, insulating transformers, installing rope bridges, and strategical tree trimming.
We are also collecting vital data on wildlife electrocutions, helping identify hotspots, target interventions and advocate for stronger enforcement and better protection. As the number of electrocution incidents we respond to continues to rise, this work is more important than ever to protect Costa Rica’s wildlife from preventable suffering.
A Win for Wildlife
Following a legal challenge supported by International Animal Rescue, Costa Rica’s Constitutional Court has ruled that the state-owned electricity company, ICE, and the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE) breached the country’s Constitution by failing to address known electrocution risks on power lines in Nosara.
The Court found that the continued installation of bare (uninsulated) power lines in areas where monkeys are known to live violated Costa Rica’s constitutional right to a healthy and ecologically balanced environment.
This is a huge step forward in our ongoing fight to prevent needless wildlife suffering from electrocution in Costa Rica. But there is still a long road ahead. We will continue to advocate for Costa Rica’s wildlife until ALL dangerous power lines are made safe and wild animals in and around Nosara are protected from these preventable shocks, for good.
Tackling the Electrocution Problem
Your support helps change minds and lives
Campaigning for Legislative Change 
Insulating Power Lines 
Rehabilitating Wildlife Project Impact
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HOWLER MONKEYS RESCUED
Hundreds of orphaned howler monkeys in Costa Rica rescued and given a future in the wild.
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Howlers in a family
In the wild, each family group is generally made up of 15 to 20 howlers.
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Howler monkey howl reaches
A howler monkey's howl can reach up to 140 decibels
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