Pula Airport has taken a new step in enhancing aviation safety by introducing a new off-road vehicle for its Wildlife Control team – an elite four-legged unit of Border Collies.
Gibs, Zita and Istra – dogs responsible for dispersing birds from the runway – are now patrolling in a new Toyota Hilux. In this way, Pula Airport is fully prepared to welcome the upcoming season with strengthened operational readiness and safety standards.
The contribution of our four-legged team is invaluable
“Our Border Collie specialists are our first line of safety. They tirelessly protect the runway, as bird strikes pose a serious threat to aviation safety. By investing in a new vehicle, we are ensuring optimal working conditions for our operators so they can perform this crucial task with maximum efficiency,” said Nina Vojnić Žagar, Pula Airport CEO.
The new vehicle enables fast and safe transport of the dogs across the entire airport area and in all weather conditions, ensuring that Gibs and the team arrive exactly where they are needed.
A game that guarantees safety
Pula Airport CEO emphasized that although dispersing birds may appear to the dogs primarily as a game or a challenge, their contribution to the safety of passengers and aircraft is invaluable.
“Our focus is on investing in safety and modernization, while at the same time demonstrating our care for those who play a key role in ensuring our passengers’ peace of mind. This team of dogs, together with their dedicated handler, performs an exceptionally important and demanding job, and they have now been provided with a vehicle worthy of their status,” Vojnić Žagar concluded.
Acknowledgement of partners
The project has been successfully implemented in cooperation with Securitas Hrvatska, and Pula Airport would like to extend special thanks to their staff for their professional support and coordination.