Since the plane crash which occurred on the Hudson River 8 years ago, 70,000 birds were killed. They were blamed for taking down the aircraft “Sully” Sullenberger. Since that incident, birds had a lot to suffer from. An analysis of the Associated Press bound to keep track of programs responsible for bird deaths, has revealed that approximately 70,000 geese, starling, gulls and other birds were killed, by trapping and shooting since the aerial accident from 2009.
- Many airports implemented bird-killing programs to secure flights.
- Due to the accident from 2009 on Hudson River, the bird-slaughtering programs have killed 70,000 birds.
- Environmentalists call for the protection of birds, asking officials to find another solution for aerial security.
These bird-slaughtering programs are situated in the area of three essential airports in New York City. Some may say that the methods used were meant to clear the sky and make it safer for future flights. Based on the federal information, after the launch of bird-diminishing programs Newark and LaGuardia, the number of birds disturbing flights actually increased.
If before the aerial accident these airports’ programs killer about 158 birds per year, now the average number has risen to 299 birds per year, almost double the initial number. Unfortunately, these are not the only airports where the number of birds increased. Kennedy Airport represents an important route for the migration process of birds. Thus, it also registered a rise in the number of killings due to the fact that they have a very robust program.
Their program was well-developed even before the crash of the Flight 1549. Advocates for birds argued that state officials need to figure out another method to protect aircraft without harming innocent birds. Jefferey Kramer, a member of the group GooseWatch NYC, noted that officials need to think of a long-term solution which could help them prevent aerial accidents without working on decreasing the number of birds.
Officials should struggle to find other methods which do not involve bird killing. They could implement advanced radar systems which will be able to detect troublesome flocks. Nevertheless, they stated that their only goal is to make flying safer and that they manage to prevent several aerial incidents since the one which took place eight years ago.
Laura Francoeur, the chief wildlife biologist at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, noted that they are struggling to reduce the risk of aircraft accident and they are afraid that there is still the case of random chances involved.
Image source: wikipedia
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.