Wildlife Hazard Management at Airports Toolbox Talk

Active Wildlife Management at Airports The key to conducting active wildlife management at airports is to maintain separation between aircraft and wildlife by harassing wildlife away from airside areas. Remember, you are the predator. Wildlife must recognise you as a threat to their well-being for you to be effective.

Wildlife Strike Financial cost: US$1.2 billion per annum (commercial civil) Human and aircraft cost: In Australia: Two human fatalities from a single incident (Evans Head 1977). Mandatory reporting since ,850 strike between 2003 to March 2014 (most common incident for ATSB.) 297 human fatalities 120 aircraft destroyed incidents 60 incidents

Identification and Communication of Hazards Wildlife hazards should be assessed as part of your serviceability inspections, wildlife patrols, runway inspections, and wildlife counts. Where a hazard is identified, you should address through active management or communicate the hazard to ATC or pilots. You may need to use the ATIS, a NOTAM or a Birdwatch Condition Report to adequately communicate the hazard. If a wildlife strike occurs, complete a strike report form with as much detail as possible. The form must be sent to ATSB within 72 hours of the incident.

Active Management Guidelines Concentrate your efforts on early morning, later afternoon, and after rainfall. Do not allow settling wildlife to feed in order to discourage regular visitation. Prioritising areas requiring dispersal should be based on airport operations, aircraft movement activity, and the distribution of high and moderate risk species. Position of the wildlife controller should ensure that the wildlife are encouraged to fly/move away from aircraft movement areas and not across them, unless there is some over-riding reason. Focus on manoeuvring areas. Use a variety of various tools and techniques to prevent habituation. AreaTo be excludedTimes to be excluded Runways, flight strips, undershootsAll wildlifeAt all times Adjacent flight strips (incl. taxiways and aprons) High risk speciesAt all times Moderate risk speciesAt all times Low risk speciesPrior to RPTs Remaining airside areas High risk speciesAt all times Moderate risk species Avoid making part of daily routine Low risk speciesLow numbers tolerated

Weapons Do not load firearm until ready for use. Ensure firearm is not loaded prior to and on completion of shooting. Stow firearm safely in case or toolbox. Stow ammunition separately in safe place until returned to designated storage facility. Work in accordance with your airport’s standard operating procedures. Wear PPE including hearing and eye protection. Pyrotechnics must be used carefully for maximum effect. The best approach is to:  carefully select shots  use a minimum number of shots  ensure that shots explode very close to the birds  use pyrotechnics in conjunction with other deterrents. Care should be taken in dry conditions as pyrotechnics may be a wildlife risk. The user of pyrotechnics should always be positioned between the flock and runways to avoid sending birds across aircraft flight paths.

Carcass Handling: Zoonotic Disease/Bacteria Wear appropriate PPE including long sleeves and trousers, disposable coveralls, safety boots and eye, mouth and hand protection. Ensure vaccination is current for applicable disease such as tetanus, Q-Fever and Lyssavirus. If exposed, wash area immediately – where skin is broken apply antibacterial product and seek medical attention. Medical attention should be immediately sought if exposed to an animals blood, saliva or excreta through the eyes, nose or mouth. Collect the carcass and place in sealable plastic bag, ready for transport to the required location (e.g. designated wildlife specimens freezer). Take care not contaminate the outside of the bag to ensure that biological materials do not contaminate your clothes or work area. Remove and dispose of gloves, coveralls and mask. Disinfect any equipment that came into contact with the carcass or other biological materials. Wash hands with soap and water.