In an effort to improve aviation security, Silvio Pettirossi International Airport, the main airport for Paraguay and the capital city Asunción, has contracted the bird control service from the Raptor falconry company.
This decision was made after a notable increase in bird impacts with aircraft turbines. In this exclusive note, we tell you the details about these magnificent birds of prey, their origins, care and how they operate to guarantee safety on the track.
Raúl Palacios, owner of Raptor, explained the details of this effective and ecological method. “The main method is falconry, which consists of using trained birds of prey to hunt other birds that may pose a danger to airplanes,” Palacios said. The species used include the Harris miranda, the royal crestuda, the escudada and the peregrine hawks, some of which are imported from Peru and Slovakia, while others are local.
The training process for these birds varies by species, but generally involves establishing a close link between the scepter and the bird of prey. “The scepter establishes a relationship with the hawk or the eagle so that it accepts it as a hunting companion and responds to its calls,” explained Palacios. This link is essential to ensure that trained birds respond effectively during airport operations.
A typical day of work at the airport includes constant tours of the slopes on a mobile phone, with birds of prey ready to be released when the presence of flocks of birds is detected near the track. “We have recently captured teros and caranchos, the two birds that most impacted the turbines,” Palacios said.
Due to recent bird impact incidents, the airport administration urgently hired the Palacios company to reestablish wildlife control. However, this contract is temporary, since in August a call for bids will be made to award the service definitively.
Palacios stressed the importance of implementing this type of service at all the main airports in the country.
A passion that became a profession
Raúl Palacios, a veterinarian by profession, discovered his passion for falconry at age 12, inspired by a collectible issue. “I was shocked at how one could have a wild animal as a hunting partner,” he recalled. This passion led him to dedicate himself to the training of birds of prey and to establish his falconry company.
Palacios shared one of his most memorable experiences working at the airport: “Watching a peregrine falcon fly 500 meters high and listening to it plummet is a unique experience,” he commented. He added that the sound of the hawk going down at high speed is similar to that of fighter jets, albeit on a much smaller scale, which is still surprising and exciting.
As for the maintenance of birds of prey, this is a considerable investment. These birds feed on quail, rats, and farm-raised rabbits, and require constant care, including adequate shelter, shade, water, and fresh food. “If they get sick, we give them medicine, antibiotics, whatever they need,” explained Palacios, highlighting the commitment and dedication necessary to keep birds in optimal conditions.
The experience and passion of Raúl Palacios and his team highlight the importance of falconry not only as a profession, but as an art that combines human skill with wild nature, providing an innovative and effective solution for aviation security.
The reimplementation of the falconry at Silvio Pettirossi airport represents both an advance in aviation security, as well as a sample of the effectiveness of traditional and sustainable methods for wildlife control. With the next tender, this service is expected to consolidate and extend to other airports in the country, guaranteeing safer flights for all.
so adorable and noble animals