A fish cut off power to a New Jersey community. But how?
In Sayreville, Fish Cuts Off Power
On a seemingly ordinary day in Sayreville, New Jersey, a power outage caught residents off guard. The culprits behind this surprising event? An osprey and its slippery prey—a fish. The osprey’s catch fell onto a transformer’s coils, causing misalignment and, consequently, a power disruption for around 2,000 residents.
While this isn’t the first time an animal has triggered a power disruption, a fish isn’t typically a culprit. Or, in this case, we might be better off blaming the osprey for accidentally losing its meal.
Jersey Central Power & Light’s spokesperson added a touch of humor to the situation, remarking, “If you’ve ever dropped your ice-cream cone at the fair, you know the feeling,” empathizing with the osprey’s unexpected plight.
The Feathered Fiasco
Evidence pointing to an osprey’s involvement came from the puncture marks on the fish, suggesting it had been caught by the bird’s talons. It’s worth noting that ospreys, once endangered in New Jersey, have been on the rebound. Recent counts indicate 733 nesting pairs in the state. This resurgence has led utility companies, like Jersey Central Power & Light, to routinely inspect equipment for osprey nests, relocating when necessary.
The Sayreville police added a humorous touch to the incident, sketching the osprey as the “suspect” on Facebook. Alongside, they depicted the fish, now named Gilligan, behind a “police line do not cross” tape.
The playful post described Gilligan as a “hardworking family man” and urged residents not to approach the osprey, highlighting its potential “danger.”
This event underscores the need for proactive infrastructure management, considering the unforeseen challenges wildlife can present. For Sayreville residents, this story serves as a quirky tale of the day a fish cut off power and cast their town into darkness.
Source: “New Jersey community loses electricity after bird drops fish on to power lines” — The Guardian
