Contracted Services

One of three conditions exists at airports in the United States when it comes wildlife hazard management.

• You as the airport authority conducts actions, maybe with a depredation permit from US FWS or not

• You have airport wildlife biologist(s) on your staff like Seattle-Tacoma International (SEA) or Portland International (PDX)

• You contract with either Wildlife Services (USDA-APHIS) or a private company like Loomacres

At my airport we were the first condition when I hired on, operating with a depredation permit before bringing Wildlife Services onboard in a shared agreement with another neighboring Part 139 airport in 2012. Now if you're the second condition then kudos to you, but everyone else is either going it alone or they contract. After having done it alone and then bringing in WS, I am a strong proponent of contracting with someone. As a 139 operator I have a lot of other duties that require my attention and as much as I want to conduct observations, trap, and get out to tenants I often don't have the time.

Contracting is a force multiplier -- period.

They have their own resources that they can pull from other locations if need be. They have a network to pool knowledge from -- other airport wildlife biologists from all across the country.