Golden Eagle Recruited To Keep Airport Clear

An airport operator in Italy has recruited a Golden Eagle to keep the airport free from wildlife. On several occasions the airport runway has been closed due to foxes hunting for food dangerously close. The addition of a Golden Eagle it is hoped will solve this problem.

The Golden Eagle is a sight that terrifies foxes and it is hoped that its imposing sillhoutte will keep them the correct side of the runway both for the productive operation of the airport and for the safety of the animals. The airport operators are particually hopeful that the foxes will be out of harms way when their cubs are born in the next few months ensuring that the parents are safe when hunting for their offspring.

The United States has utilised many techniques to rid airports of foxes including traps, poison and ultrasound however it is believed that this is the first time that a bird of prey has been used.

Closing an airport runway can be very expensive but with each Golden Eagle costing £7,500  it is not an investment that can be made many times.

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Published by: Jon Vickery