On Day 4 of Airside Safety Week, we will highlight the teams and practices dedicated to reducing wildlife on Toronto Pearson’s property.
On-site activities
Our in-person programming features fun, interactive ways to learn and test our skills. Today’s on-site activities include:
- ASO Ride Along*
- Wildlife Control Officer Site Visit*
- Falcon Environmental Wildlife Facility Tour*
*Prior registration required
Check out our on-site activities page to learn more about how you can participate. Make sure to register before the deadline!
Online learning
Today we are highlighting Wildlife Management Awareness, including a review of:
- Land use
- Proactive wildlife management
Once you have reviewed the day’s learning material, test your knowledge of Wildlife Management Awareness by taking today’s quiz (links to quizzes will be accessible September 16 to 20).
Participants in today's quiz will be automatically entered into a prize draw.
Toronto Pearson is responsible for more than 1800 hectares of land that is subdivided into several uses. Aside from the airport property with paved surfaces and buildings, the area contains:
- Crop land (land leased to a farmer)
- Short grass adjacent to airport runway / taxiways / apron
- Old field vegetation (long grass)
- Low-lying areas and creeks (which have tendencies to flood)
- Young growth forest
This expansive green space in the middle of an urban setting results in large concentrations and varieties of wildlife being attracted to the airport. Since access by the public is restricted, wildlife is drawn to the area as they can exist relatively undisturbed by human interference.
The Wildlife Control Program at Pearson is the largest wildlife program in Canada.
Our program takes a proactive approach rather than a reactive one. What does this mean?
- Barriers – The first line of defense against wildlife at the airport is a 20 km long, 3.75 m high fence surrounding the area, and buried 45 cm into the ground.
- Wildlife Control Officers (WCOs) – Our WCOs patrol the airfield from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset, dispersing wildlife using different tools such as pyrotechnics, falconry and dogs.
- Predators – Predators are the best deterrents for prey. At Pearson, there are 25 birds of prey that include Harris Hawks, Gyrfalcon/Saker hybrids and a bald eagle. They ride around in our vehicles and are deployed as necessary to scare other birds away from critical areas like the runways and taxiways.
Learn more about wildlife at Toronto Pearson and how to report it below.
Thank you for reviewing today’s reminders about Wildlife Management Awareness. After you take today’s quiz, be sure to join us again tomorrow for another learning opportunity and chance to win a cash prize!