US EditionMeet Hercules and Ned, the Border Collies Fending Off Wildlife at West Virginia’s Busiest Airport
- Hercules and Ned, two border collies, work with their handler who conducts routine patrols across the one-mile stretch of West Virginia International Yeager Airport's airfield to deter wildlife from approaching aircraft, thereby safeguarding passengers and crew.
- Yeager management bought Hercules in 2018 on a wildlife biologist's recommendation to address frequent bird strikes that cause flight delays and safety risks nationwide.
- Hercules trained to herd geese and sheep at Flyaway Geese and became a local celebrity, while Ned joined last year, shadowing Hercules and learning airport safety to control diverse wildlife including geese, hawks, ducks, songbirds, and bats.
- In 2023, U.S. Airports experienced approximately 19,000 wildlife strikes, with birds accounting for 95% of these incidents. Between 1988 and 2023, such collisions resulted in the deaths of 76 individuals and the loss of 126 aircraft. Notably, a serious 2022 event at Charleston airport involved a propeller blade breaking off and puncturing the fuselage, causing injury to a passenger.
- Handler Chris Keyser emphasizes that preventing bird strikes improves safety and reduces costly flight delays, as every strike requires inspection, highlighting the importance of the dogs’ patrols at this busy mountain-top airport.
34 Articles
34 Articles
Border collies Ned, Hercules help fend off wildlife at West Virginia airport
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Hercules and Ned have quite the spacious office at West Virginia’s busiest airport. The border collies and their handler make daily patrols along the milelong airfield to ensure birds and other wildlife stay away from planes and keep passengers and crew safe. Hercules is also chief ambassador, soaking in affection from passengers inside the terminal while calming some nervously waiting to board a flight at West Virginia Inter…
Hercules and Ned: Meet the border collies fending off wildlife at West Virginia's busiest airport
Hercules and Ned make daily patrols with their handler to keep planes and passengers safe along the milelong airfield at West Virginia International Yeager Airport.
Associated Press News
Meet Hercules and Ned, the border collies fending off wildlife at West Virginia’s busiest airport
Two border collies have a full-time job keeping birds and other wildlife off the runway at West Virginia's busiest airport.
Meet Hercules and Ned, the Border Collies Protecting Wildlife at West Virginia’s Busiest Airport
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A pair of border collies, Hercules and Ned, are making waves at West Virginia’s busiest airport, ensuring safety for both passengers and aircraft. The skilled dogs and their handler conduct daily patrols along the airfield to deter birds and wildlife, crucial for flight safety. Hercules, the airport’s chief ambassador, charms travelers in the terminal, providing comfort to those anxious about their flights at West Virginia In…
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