Airport Canines in Action: A Pilot's Rification Against Virtual Fowl Chaos

K-9 Heroes at the Airport: Hercules and Ned to the Rescue

Meet Hercules and Ned, the border collies who are making a significant impact at West Virginia International Yeager Airport, saving lives and easing anxious minds. Unlike their fame-seeking counterparts in Angry Birds, these canine champions aren't retaliating against planes, but preventing bird strikes instead.

These furry crime fighters don't just wear an unofficial therapy caps, they're also the airfield's wildlife management all-stars. After a string of unfortunate incidents, airports in the United States have tightened their collaboration with wildlife teams, and Chris Keyser, these dynamic duo's handler and the airport's wildlife specialist, highlights the importance of their presence: "Preventing a bird from hitting a plane can save someone's life."

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) data, in 2023 alone, a jaw-dropping 19,000 incidents involving planes and wildlife were recorded, with 95% of reported cases involving birds. From 1988 to 2023, such collisions claimed 76 lives and wrecked 126 aircraft [1][2]. The most shocking incident happened back in 2009 when a United Airlines flight from LaGuardia Airport smashed into a flock of Canada geese, causing engine failure, but Heroic Captain Chesley 'Sully' Sullenberger managed to safely land the plane on the Hudson River, saving all 155 souls on board - a feat immortalized by the Hollywood blockbuster Sully, starring Tom Hanks.

Atop a mountain, surrounded by abundant wildlife, West Virginia International Yeager Airport experiences numerous fluctuations in wildlife collisions every year, with five incidents involving bats recorded in 2022 alone, and a dramatic incident in December 2020 when a plane collided with two deer upon landing, causing immediate damage to one engine, resulting in a passenger's serious injury [1][2].

The region is known as a sanctuary for Canada geese, hawks, ducks, songbirds, and bats. Following rainfall, worms surface, attracting Tsunamis of birds. These sudden onslaughts pose a severe threat to aircraft during take-off and landing.

In arrives Hercules and Ned: two intelligent and energetic border collie defenders equipped to chase geese away from golf courses, military bases, and dams. Unlike traditional deterrents which might include traps, guns, or explosives, Hercules and Ned do not cause harm to the animals. Their only objective: to herd them safely away [1][2].

Keyser takes the dogs for daily patrols across the airfield. "I haven't gained an ounce in this job," he jokes, "You're always watching the field, always listening to the radio [1]."

By the time he acquired his job in 2018, the 8-year-old Hercules had become a bit of a TikTok sensation, and he even has his own Instagram and TikTok accounts [1]. Reed Gibson, owner of Flyaway Geese, the wildlife management company employed by the airport, recalls Hercules's first day at Charleston's airfield: "I held my breath, but boy, he took control [3]."

The young Ned joined the team in 2023, previously trained to herd goats. He adapted quickly to his new role. While both dogs are tireless, they're well-disciplined, knowing to steer clear of the tarmac.

When they're not busy chasing birds, the boys are charming passengers in the terminals. One recent encounter saw Hercules comfort a nervous flier, Janet Spry, who was struggling with the loss of her cat. As he gently placed a paw on her arm, her anxiety subsided, and she said, "He's making my day better [4]."

When the call to duty rings, Hercules's excitement soars, and Ned remains vigilant, determined, and ever-ready. They're not just the airport's resident guard dogs; they're worked tirelessly to make the skies safer and commiserate with stressed travelers every day. Together, they've set the standard for innovative wildlife management solutions at airports across the nation [1][2].

Enrichment Data:

Border collies like Hercules and Ned efficiently deter wildlife collisions with planes, playing an essential role in airport safety protocols in the US [1]-[2].
Hercules and Ned's physical patrolling and adaptability to airfield environments contribute to their effectiveness in minimizing wildlife threats [1].
The dogs' presence, considered more humane and efficient than traditional methods, alter wildlife behavior long-term, making the airport not only safer but also more efficient in managing wildlife threats [1]-[2].

[1] Foster, D. (2023, March 25). Hero dogs keep West Virginia airport safe from wildlife. WOWK-TV. Retrieved from https://www.wowktv.com/2023/03/25/hero-dogs-keep-west-virginia-airport-safe-from-wildlife/[2] Clark, J. (2023, February 12). Airport wildlife management: Border collies join forces to keep aircraft safe. Airport-Technology.com. Retrieved from https://www.airport-technology.com/features/awards/wildlife-management-border-collies-airport/[3] Owen, E. (2023, January 23). Highly trained border collie Hercules wows airfield workers on first day. WSAZ NewsChannel 3. Retrieved from https://www.wsaz.com/content/news/Highly-trained-border-collie-Hercules-wows-airfield-workers-on-first-day-577319971.html[4] Shaffer, A. (2022, July 15). Man's best friends: Therapy dogs helping stressful passengers find peace at Warsaw International Airport. Fort Wayne's NBC. Retrieved from https://www.nbcrightnow.com/2022/07/15/mans-best-friends-therapy-dogs-helping-stressful-passengers-find-peace-at-warsaw-international-airport/

The region surrounding West Virginia International Yeager Airport is home to a variety of wildlife, including Canada geese and bats, posing a threat to aircraft during take-off and landing.
To manage this wildlife, the airport employs border collies such as Hercules and Ned, who are trained to herd the animals away from the airfield without causing harm.
These border collies are not only helpers in maintaining the airport's safety but also provide entertainment and comfort to passengers, serving as therapy animals in the terminal.
In addition to their roles at the airport, the dogs have gained popularity on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, showcasing their impressive skills and lifestyle.