Wildlife Hazard Management in planning airports

Worldwide anthropogenic changes influence complex aviation-wildlife relationships. Wildlife Hazard Management (WHM) should include nature conservation. The number of bird strikes continuously increases parallel to growth of air traffic and airport infrastructure. In Poland, ca. 200 bird species have been recorded at aerodromes of which some 30 are considered hazardous to aviation. Analysis of wildlife hazard to aviation should be a part of the preliminary documentation for planned aerodromes. Identification and bird strike risk assessment allow preparation of Wildlife Hazard Management plan which includes pro- and reactive mitigation measures. The measures should consider the most up-to-date available WHM tools, including available radar systems. Operational manuals should include the Wildlife Hazard Management as their inherent part already in the planning phase. This requires systemic and interdisciplinary cooperation both at the airport level and at the level of national air traffic safety management. It should include state authorities but also non-governmental organizations involved in nature protection.