From therapy dogs to llama bodyguards, airports are increasingly turning to animals for help in various roles. In this article, we will take a closer look at the different types of animal staff employed by airports around the world.
Therapy Dogs: Providing Comfort to Nervous Fliers
Los Angeles Airport has been employing Pets Unstressing Passengers (PUPs) for over two years now. These canine therapists offer free therapy to passengers in the post-security screening areas to help alleviate anxiety and stress related to air travel. Last month, the dogs were even honored by the Los Angeles City Council, who recognized their vital role in helping passengers feel more relaxed during their airport experience.
Mascot Cats: Capturing Public Imagination
Manchester Airport inadvertently adopted a mascot in the form of a one-eared ginger cat called Olly, who had made the airport her home. Olly lived in a shelter built by staff between Terminals One and Three and had a dedicated Facebook page with 2,500 friends. She even had a plane named after her. Unfortunately, Olly passed away earlier this year, and the airport now has a memorial plaque in her honor.
Falcons: Air Traffic Controllers for Birds
Bird strikes pose a significant threat to airplanes, with nearly 14,000 incidents reported in the United States alone each year. To combat this, airports are now using falcons to direct birds away from planes during takeoff and landing. Falcon Environmental Services uses falcons to control birds in a humane way by utilizing the predator-prey relationship that falcons and nuisance birds have in the wild. Not only is this method effective, but it’s also more humane than other bird control methods.
Goats: Eco-Friendly Landscapers
Airports are turning to goats to manage vegetation around the runways in an eco-friendly way. Portland International Airport and Chicago O’Hare have both employed goats to manage the vegetation around the airport. Goats are a viable alternative for areas where machinery is not an option, or worker safety may be an issue. Employing goats instead of using herbicides is also an eco-friendly way to manage vegetation.
Llamas: Bodyguards for Goats
At Portland International Airport, the goats face a danger that traditional landscapers don’t: coyotes. To protect the goats, the airport employs llamas as bodyguards. The llamas are a natural deterrent for coyotes and help keep the goats safe.
Mice: Security Agents with a Keen Sense of Smell
Israeli security firm Tamar Group is developing an explosive detection system manned by mice. The advantages of using mice include their excellent sense of smell, easy trainability, and small size, making them easy to transport. The mice would be contained in cages and would sniff passengers and luggage for traces of explosives and other substances.
Bees: Anti-Drug Wardens
Researchers at the University of Giessen in Germany have discovered that honeybees can be trained to detect drugs. Using bees instead of dogs is more cost-effective and easier to train. By utilizing the bees’ ability to detect narcotics, airports could improve their ability to combat drug trafficking.
Conclusion:
Airports are increasingly turning to animals to help with various tasks, from therapy dogs to llama bodyguards. Using animals is not only effective and it can also be more eco-friendly and humane than traditional methods. The diverse roles that animals can play in airport operations are a testament to their versatility and intelligence. As airports continue to explore new ways to improve passenger experience and safety, we may see even more animal workers taking on important roles in the aviation industry.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/animals-that-work-in-airports/index.html
