A review of the hazards and mitigation for airstrikes from Canada geese in the Anchorage, Alaska bowl

Authors

Darryl L. York, National Wildlife Research Center
Richard M. Engeman, USDA-APHIS-Wildlife ServicesFollow
John L. Cummings, National Wildlife Research CenterFollow
Corey L. Rossi, USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services
David R. Sinnett, USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services

Date of this Version

January 2001

Comments

Published by Integrated Pest Management Reviews 6: 47–57, 2001.

Abstract

Bird strikes to aircraft are a globally pervasive safety and economic concern. In particular, the Anchorage, Alaska area holds substantial risk for destructive collisions between birds and aircraft. An international airport, a municipal airport, a seaplane base, and a U.S. Air Force base are situated throughout the area. Anchorage also has a burgeoning population of Canada geese (Branta canadensis parvipes), one of the species identified as posing the greatest airstrike hazards. A variety of methods are applied and a variety of research has been conducted to reduce the potential for airstrikes with geese around Anchorage.We review the nature of the problem, as well as the research and mitigation procedures applied to address the problem.