An evaluation of translocation as a tool to reduce burrowing owl collisions at airports

Bird strikes at airports pose a human-wildlife conflict (HWC) present in the world's major cities. Conflict mitigation frequently encompasses translocation, but its effectiveness in resolving HWCs is unclear. Here, we used the Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) as a model species to test the effectiveness of translocation in reducing the number of bird strikes, the primary HWC at airports. We explored the translocation process, focusing on 3 aspects: 1) the influence of landscape structure on the persistence time of translocated animals at the released sites, 2) the influence of the release distance from the source on the return of translocated animals, and 3) the strike rate involving the species at the capture site at Brasilia International Airport (BSB). Our results did not support burrowing owl translocation as a management option for solving the HWC at the BSB. We also found that the landscape composition did not guarantee individual persistence since the animals did not remain at release sites, regardless of the spatial configuration. Release distance did not explain the frequency of return of translocated animals to the capture site. Finally, we registered a higher number of collisions during translocation management. Thus, we believe that wildlife management programs must monitor translocated animals assessing if translocations are suited for the context.

Automated summary

Bird strikes at airports are a human-wildlife conflict present in major cities worldwide. This study tested the effectiveness of translocating the Burrowing Owl species in reducing bird strikes at Brasilia International Airport. The results indicate that translocation is not a suitable management option and the landscape structure and release distance do not guarantee the persistence or return of translocated birds. The study also revealed a higher number of collisions during the translocation process.