Protecting the Flying Public and Minimizing Economic Losses within the Aviation Industry: Technical and Direct Management Assistance provided by USDA Wildlife Services at Airports to reduce Wildlife Hazards Fiscal Year 2005

Authors

Richard A. Dolbeer, National Coordinator, Airport Safety and Assistance Program, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Wildlife ServicesFollow

Date of this Version

March 2006

Abstract

Biologists with USDA Wildlife Services provided technical and operational assistance at a record 674 airports and military airbases in FY 2005 to reduce wildlife hazards to aviation. Operational assistance included live-trapping birds of prey, such as this juvenile red-tailed hawk, at 65 airports. Captured birds were released in areas away from the airports. Studies have shown that juvenile (nonbreeding) red-tailed hawks rarely return to airports after translocation. The overall red-tailed hawk population in the USA has increased over 2-fold since 1970. The population in the Great Lakes region has increased over 3-fold.