Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands (27 September, 2016) The Cayman Islands Airports Authority’s (CIAA) Operations Department in collaboration with the Safety Office is using a new method to reduce the number of small birds around the Owen Roberts International Airport (ORIA). The bird fogger is an environmentally safe device that deploys a light haze of bird repellant that irritates the bird’s mucous membrane. The effect doesn’t harm the bird, however it does create an unpleasant sensation which causes the bird to leave the area.

“Bird strikes are a big issue for airports around the world, therefore it’s important that we do everything we can to keep birds and other wildlife away from the aerodrome”, said CIAA’s Chief Safety Officer, Andrew McLaughlin. He added, “We are once again in the middle of a very busy bird season, and I am pleased with the way the fogger has been working so far. The fog is harmless and many motorists may also notice a very fragrant grape scent coming from the area where the fogger is located since it consists of a substance used in flavoring many types of food.”

The public is also being encouraged once again to do its part to keep wildlife away from the airport by covering trash cans, picking up garbage and not feeding the birds in the areas surrounding the airport.

CIAA’s safety team is also encouraging members of the public to attend the annual Wildlife Hazard Working Group meeting scheduled for Monday, 28 November 2016, for further details on the methods that the Airports Authority uses to mitigate wildlife.

PHOTO:
CIAA’s Airport Operation Duty Officers (L to R) Armando Ebanks and Jerad Ebanks with the bird fogger.