Wildlife control measures such as bird control, are required to
maintain a safe operating airport.
Proactive Bird Management
Safety is paramount to airlines and airports worldwide, and this
includes constant vigilance against bird strike. Birds are a
threat to all aircraft during take off, climb and approach and
landing. Bird populations are monitored and managed by a
comprehensive programme developed by Christchurch Airport
(CIAL). Any proposed activity that could potentially attract
birds to the airport airspace is thoroughly reviewed, and risk
management strategies are developed to deal with flight safety
hazards that may arise.
CIAL employs a Wildlife Officer to monitor bird activity around
the airport, and take measures to keep the bird numbers down.
Current Actions
- Carefully monitoring bird species numbers both on the airport,
and within its general vicinity
- Understanding the biology and behaviour of problem bird
species
- Making the airport environment as unattractive to birds as
possible
- Actively moving and removing birds from airport environs
- Particpating in local programmes to cull large flocks of water
birds which could be hazardous to aircraft
- Undertaking effective ground management practices including
identifying and removing/controlling food sources (insects, grass,
seeds, etc) for birds, and
- Obtaining consultancy services from ornithologists,
entomologists and agronomists
