Cell Tower News: Batteries stolen; AT&T rescues osprey nest

Batteries worth $100,000 stolen

In what has become an all-too-common occurrence, police in the Salt Lake City area are looking for the perps responsible for a rash of break-ins and thefts at local cell towers. In just the span of a week, at least five incidents have been reported, with forced entry into every location, cutting holes in fences and breaking into the sheds at the base of the towers, stealing batteries and other equipment. Between damages and stolen equipment, the cost is estimated at $100,000. Fortunately the towers were still able to function despite the theft and damage.

Anyone with information regarding these tower thefts in the Salt Lake City area can call police at (801)-799-3000.

Osprey nest rescued from AT&T tower

AT&T needed to remove an old cell tower in Helena, Montana, but there was a problem. Perched atop the tower was the nest of a pair of osprey, a protected species. The nest had been a seasonal home for the two birds and their chicks for at least the past five years. Working with permission from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and consultation from the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks division, AT&T took all necessary steps to safely remove the nest from atop the tower. The nest was covered in a tarp, secured and heavy straps attached for careful removal. A crane held the nest as the cell tower was cut down.

Unaware of the all the proper channels and care consultation, onlookers began showing up on the site concerned for the well-being of the birds and their nest and were harassing the work crew. Local police showed up on the site to oversee the action and calm the crowd; no actual threats were reported.

This cell tower has been dormant for more than a year, with various other towers in the area picking up the coverage. This isn’t the first time this tower and its osprey residents have been in the news either. Last year this nest got the attention of Washington, D.C., when a group of nearby elementary school kids wrote in asking for help with the birds. The birds had gathered a lot of twine for its nest, which osprey are notorious for, but is always potentially harmful with high likelihood of entanglement. AT&T acted on the request, sending out workers to safely remove the twine from the bird nest.

A permanent relocation home has not been chosen, but all parties involved want to keep it closeby, so that it continues to be an educational tool for the nearby elementary school. A new pole with a platform will be erected and either the current nest will be used or a fabricated “starter nest” will be created to take its place. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks assures those concerned that the transition will not cause the birds very much stress and they have handled situations like this previously with positive results.