1. Management Program Update 2012 Pacific Aviation Director’s Workshop
Wildlife Hazard
Management Program Update
Daniel Vice
USDA, APHIS, Wildlife Services
2012 Pacific Aviation Director’s Workshop

2. Overview Wildlife strike background Micronesian airports review
Species
Attractants
Project status
Project needs
General wildlife hazard management review

3. HISTROY LESSON: Wright Bros
HISTROY LESSON: Wright Bros. became airborne December 17th 1903… less than two years later they also recorded the first bird strike: First Bird Strike: Orville Wright, Sept First Bird Strike Fatality: Lt Cal Rogers, April 1912

4. Reported Wildlife Strikes, US Civil Aviation
Total # of reported wildlife strikes in the US, from

5. Wildlife populations are increasing worldwide

6. Year Aircraft 3 or 4 Engines 1969 2,100 75%
American Fleet
Year Aircraft or 4 Engines , %
, %
, %
The move to more efficient, two-engine aircraft: 1) less redundancy, 2) less engine noise

7. Airports = Attractive Habitat…There are often resources in the airport environment that provide food, water or cover. Airports are often literally islands of attractive habitat.
Each airport has its own challenges to managing wildlife, and there are many similarities. The purpose of this talk is to give a brief overview of the wildlife strike problem worldwide and how airports manage them.

8. Although shorebirds are generally small-bodied birds, their large flocking numbers can have a serious impact on airport operations.

9. Although seasonal, shorebirds are the primary wildlife strike problem for Micronesian airports, given their large numbers when present in airfield environments. The figures provide info on 2 of the most abundant shorebirds found on Micronesian airports.

10. Egrets: residents and cattle

11. Forest birds

12. Other wildlife

13. Tidal channel within AOA at Chuuk airport

14. Pohnpei mangrove clear cut area

15. Wildlife attractants: Kosrae tidal reef flats

16. Majuro municipal reservoirs

17. Reservoir immediately east of Yap airport

18. Airai State dump, located approximately 4 miles from Palau airport

19. Wildlife Hazard Management Plan
Based upon Wildlife Hazard Assessment and directs wildlife management for the airport
Identifies resources, organizational roles, and management activities
Reviewed and updated annually, or as needed (several other thresholds trigger review)

20. Regional WHM Status
Micronesian WHMP’s reviewed by airports; currently under review by Honolulu ADO
Final submission following revisions
American Samoa assessment start-up in November 2011

21. WHMP Input Needs Resources available for management
Staff
Equipment
Capacity
Identify specific organizational roles
Regulatory compliance

23. Wildlife Hazard Management Tools Pyrotechnics Propane cannons
Vehicular harassment
Live trapping
Nest destruction
Shooting
Habitat management

24. Pyrotechnics
Active management

25. Pyrotechics

26. Propane cannons
Strategically located and timed

27. Keeping AOA grass areas at a prescribed height
Habitat Management

28. Airport managers must take into account procurement and maintenance of these tools. In addition, training in the operation and maintenance of these tools is required.

29. Information Management and Record Keeping
Operational Management Data
Runway Checks
Strike Reporting
Training Requirements

30. Documentation of wildlife management activities: # of birds, where on airfield, what tool works best, what tool doesn’t work…..

32. Wildlife Strike Reporting
The Federal Aviation Administration’s Advisory Circular 150/ A stresses the importance of documenting wildlife strikes and provides guidance on reporting strikes to aircraft. A wildlife strike is considered to have occurred when any of the following conditions are met:
1. A pilot reports striking 1 or more birds or other wildlife;
2. Aircraft maintenance personnel identify aircraft damage as having been caused by a wildlife strike;
3. Personnel on the ground report seeing an aircraft strike 1 or more birds or other wildlife;
4. Bird or other wildlife remains, whether in whole or in part, are found within 200 feet of a runway centerline, unless another reason for the animal's death is identified; or
5. An animal's presence on the airport had a significant negative effect on a flight (i.e., aborted takeoff, aborted landing, high-speed emergency stop or aircraft leaves pavement area to avoid collision with an animal).

34. Take-Home Messages Wildlife strike mitigation is critical safety need
Plan and implement safely; use the right tools
Document and follow regulations
Report Wildlife Strikes

36. Hawaii/Guam/Pacific Islands Guam District Office 233 Pangelinan Way
United States Department of Agriculture
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services
Hawaii/Guam/Pacific Islands
Guam District Office
233 Pangelinan Way
Barrigada, Guam 96913
(671)