Chilkat Valley News - Serving Haines and Klukwan, Alaska since 1966

A bald eagle collided with a powerline and caused a power outage for 140 Alaska Power and Telephone customers in Haines on Aug. 19.

According to American Bald Eagle Foundation volunteer coordinator Chloe Goodson, the foundation received a call that an adult bald eagle ran into a power line near 1.5 Mile Haines Highway. The eagle was electrocuted and found dead, still clutching a fish in its talons on the side of the highway.

Skagway AP&T manager Darren Belisle said the power lines near the Alaska Chilkat Bald Preserve are optimized to protect raptors from electrocution; phases, or wires, that carry electrical current are spread six feet apart. Belisle said he thinks the only reason the eagle hit two lines is because it was holding the fish.