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Removal of Off-Airport Wildlife Hazards A Case Study - NYC Canada Geese. Presented by Saleen Tennis 33 rd Annual Airports Conference Hershey, Pennsylvania March 2-4, 2010. Off-Airport Wildlife Hazards. Off-Airport Program Development. Identify the hazard and source
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Removal of Off-Airport Wildlife HazardsA Case Study - NYC Canada Geese Presented by Saleen Tennis 33rd Annual Airports Conference Hershey, Pennsylvania March 2-4, 2010
Off-Airport Program Development • Identify the hazard and source • Identify the landowners • Determine the management options for addressing the hazard • Decide on the management option that best suits your situation
Concerns • Public Perception • Landowners • Cost • Permits
Off-Airport Program • Implement the management program • Work with a Biologist trained in Wildlife Management • Be cautious about public perception and use professional conduct • Evaluate the program
Resident Canada Geese in NY and NYC State of New York 250,000 State’s population goal 85,000 Metropolitan New York region 25,000
Strike History • Over the past 10 years there have been 78 Canada Goose strikes in New York state • These strikes caused more than 2 million dollars in damage
Working with Landowners • NYC Wildlife Hazard Management Steering Committee. • Port Authority • Wildlife Services • NYC Mayor’s Office • DEC • USFWS • Dept of Correction • NYC Parks and Recreation • Town of Hempstead • National Park Service
Determine Action Options Hazing Egg and Nest Destruction Population Reduction
Goose Movement Study JFK Airport
The NYC Canada Goose Removal Objective: To reduce the resident Canada Geese population at City-owned public parks, ball fields, and other man-made and natural habitats within 5 miles of airports in metropolitan New York City.
Methods • 47 proposed removal sites • 17 removal sites selected • Removals took place mid June – mid July 2009
LaGuardia Airport JFK Airport
Methods for Removal • Geese removed during the molt using capture pens • Captured geese were placed alive in commercial turkey crates • Euthanized
Results • 7 days work • WS removed 1,235 of the 1,513 Canada geese observed at the 17 selected sites • 5-6 % of resident population
Recommendations • Work with neighboring landowners • Expand Canada goose removals • Utilize additional capture techniques
Summary • Off-Airport Wildlife Hazards are a significant threat to aviation safety • Airports need to work with landowners and wildlife managers to develop a suitable program to eliminate or reduce these Hazards when and where they occur • All wildlife programs need to be evaluated periodically and adjustments made as needed