A local resident captured the horrifying moment three storks were electrocuted after landing on top of an electricity pole.
The footage showed five storks perched on top of the pole, with others resting in the trees behind.
Moments later, one of the birds spread its wings and began to topple backwards.
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A split second later, a blinding flash of light could be seen followed by a puff os smoke.
Several storks flew away but others tumbled to the ground, their bodies rigid.
Of the five storks that landed on the pole in Resul village near Mersin, Turkey, three were killed by the electric current.
According to experts, storks’ wide wingspans mean they can come into contact with two different wires on an electricity pole at the same time, causing a short circuit.
This can result in the birds being electrocuted by high voltage and dying, as reported by Need To Know.
Despite the shocking scenes, the white stork (Ciconia ciconia) is not considered endangered in Turkey or globally.
However, the species still faces threats from power lines and habitat loss.
The İzmir Bird Sanctuary authority specifically lists electricity transmission lines among the species’ major threats.
