Wild Cats And Airports: Unlikely Neighbors?

Airports are often built on the last remaining spots of undeveloped land in densely populated urban areas. As a result, they attract a wide variety of wildlife, including wild cats. In fact, airports can be a haven for endangered species, such as the San Francisco garter snake, which thrives in the grasslands surrounding San Francisco International Airport.

However, the presence of wildlife at airports can also pose challenges and risks. For example, bird-airplane collisions can cause deadly accidents and significant damage. As a result, airport biologists work to balance the needs of wildlife with the safety of humans, employing both lethal and non-lethal methods to keep animals away from planes.

In addition to wild animals, airports also deal with feral cats, which can be a source of controversy. While some people view these cats as a safety and health hazard, others argue that they are an effective form of pest control, reducing the presence of birds and other pests. The rounding up of feral cats at John F. Kennedy International Airport in 2007 sparked protests from cat lovers and animal rights advocates, who favoured a trap, neuter, and release approach.

Airports can be a haven for wild animals, including wild cats

One example of an airport that has become a haven for wildlife is San Francisco International Airport (SFO). SFO is located on a large expanse of flat, grassy land, which makes it attractive to various species of birds and animals. The airport is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including coyotes, peregrine falcons, great blue herons, gray foxes, and the endangered San Francisco garter snake. SFO employs an in-house biologist, Natalie Reeder, who is responsible for managing the airport's ecosystem and ensuring the safety of both wildlife and passengers.

Another instance of wild animals finding refuge in airports is the presence of feral cat colonies. In 2007, a group of cat lovers protested the rounding up of feral cats living in John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York. These cats, some of which were abandoned by their owners, had formed a large wild cat colony within the secured cargo areas of the airport. While airport authorities cited safety and health concerns, cat rescue groups and animal rights advocates proposed a trap, neuter, and release strategy as a more humane alternative. This debate highlights the complex dynamics between wildlife and human infrastructure.

Airports with expansive grounds or proximity to natural habitats can provide ideal habitats for a range of wildlife, including wild cats. However, the presence of wild animals in airports also poses potential risks and challenges. Bird strikes, for example, can cause dangerous accidents and significant damage to aircraft. As a result, airport authorities must implement strategies to manage wildlife populations and reduce potential hazards. These strategies may include non-lethal methods such as using loud noises or lasers to scare animals away, as well as fencing and vegetation management.

Overall, airports can inadvertently become havens for wild animals, including wild cats, due to their location and the availability of resources. This dynamic leads to a delicate balance between preserving wildlife and ensuring the safety of aircraft and passengers. Effective wildlife management strategies are crucial to maintaining this balance and mitigating potential risks associated with human-wildlife interactions in airport environments.

Airports are often the last remaining spots of undeveloped land in cityscapes

The San Francisco International Airport (SFO), for example, is home to the endangered San Francisco garter snake and the threatened California red-legged frog, its favourite prey. SFO's in-house biologist, Natalie Reeder, works to balance the needs of the wildlife with the safety concerns of the airport. She clears vegetation to create open water for the frogs to lay their eggs and spays and neuters feral cats that roam the weeds.

Other airports have also taken steps to protect wildlife, such as the Portland International Airport, which has a staff of 11 dedicated to wildlife management, and the San José International Airport, which installed artificial burrows to lure nesting owls away from the runways.

While airports can provide important habitats for wildlife, there are also potential dangers associated with having animals so close to aircraft. Bird-airplane collisions cause deadly accidents and hundreds of millions of dollars in damage across the United States each year. As a result, airport biologists have the challenging task of keeping wildlife safe from humans and humans safe from wildlife.

Airports experiment with non-lethal methods to prevent wild animals from causing issues

Airports are often the last remaining spots of undeveloped land in cityscapes, which makes them attractive to wildlife. However, this can create issues, as bird-airplane collisions cause deadly accidents and hundreds of millions of dollars in damage across the US each year.

While the traditional approach to dealing with this problem has been to kill the birds, airports are increasingly experimenting with non-lethal methods to prevent wildlife from causing issues. These methods include:

• Exploding fireworks
• Shooting loud air cannons
• Waving green lasers
• Installing fences
• Keeping the grass mown short
• Installing fake coyotes to frighten pigeons

Sometimes these tactics work, but not always. For example, red-tailed hawks have been known to perch on the cannons, and coyotes have been known to scale the fences.

In addition to these methods, airports also try to prevent problems from arising in the first place. This involves monitoring the types and numbers of wildlife species present on and around the airport, and taking action if certain species start to gather in large numbers.

Overall, while there is no easy answer to the challenge of coexisting with wildlife, airports are increasingly moving towards non-lethal methods of deterrence.

Airports with in-house biologists may be better equipped to manage wildlife

Airports are often built on wide-open flat spaces, which can make them attractive to wildlife. Airports are usually the last remaining spots of undeveloped land in cityscapes, and they tend to be banked by bays, rivers, and oceans, offering plenty of food for animals. As a result, airports can become a haven for wildlife, including coyotes, peregrine falcons, great blue herons, gray foxes, and even wild cats.

While this creates a fascinating ecosystem, it also poses potential dangers, particularly the risk of bird-airplane collisions, which can cause deadly accidents and significant financial damage. Managing this high-stakes coexistence is a complex task, and this is where in-house biologists can play a crucial role.

In-house biologists can also collaborate with ecologists and wildlife management experts to develop comprehensive wildlife hazard management plans. This multidisciplinary approach can lead to more effective solutions that are informed by scientific knowledge and a detailed understanding of wildlife behavior. Additionally, in-house biologists can build up knowledge over time, continuously learning about the specific challenges and needs of their airport's ecosystem.

Furthermore, having an in-house biologist can facilitate a more proactive approach to wildlife management. Instead of simply reacting to issues as they arise, in-house biologists can conduct baseline data collection, population monitoring, and long-term conservation planning. This allows for a more nuanced understanding of the wildlife in and around the airport and can inform more targeted and effective management strategies.

While some airports, like Oakland International Airport and Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, choose to contract with external wildlife services, having a dedicated in-house biologist or a team of experts may be more beneficial in the long run. With their specialized knowledge and continuous presence, in-house biologists can help airports navigate the intricacies of wildlife management and strive for greater human-wildlife coexistence.

Airports can be a safety and health hazard for wild cats

One of the main hazards is the risk of wildlife strikes, where birds or other animals collide with aircraft during takeoff, landing, or while in flight. Birds account for 97% of reported strikes, while mammals account for about 3%, and reptiles less than 1%. Wildlife strikes have increased in recent years due to the growing populations of hazardous wildlife species and the increasing number of aircraft movements. For example, the population of white-tailed deer in the US has increased significantly, leading to a higher number of collisions with civil aircraft.

Additionally, improper landscaping at airports can attract wild cats and create hazards. Certain plants may provide food or shelter for potentially dangerous wildlife, while other plants can help deter them. Airports that are built on wide-open, flat spaces tend to be surrounded by bays, rivers, and oceans, which can be attractive to wild cats and other predators.

The presence of wild cats at airports can also lead to health concerns. Airports may employ lethal control methods to manage wildlife, which can pose risks to wild cats. Additionally, airports may spay and neuter feral cats that roam the area, which can impact their health and well-being.

Furthermore, airports can be stressful environments for wild cats due to the constant noise, bright lights, and human activity. The stress of being in a confined space, such as a carrier, and undergoing security checks can also take a toll on their health and well-being. Overall, while airports may provide some benefits to wild cats, they also present significant safety and health hazards that can be detrimental to these animals.

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