The research showed an overall reduction in many species commonly found at the airport and a drop in the overall number of birds per species. The number of wading and shore birds was reduced by half. This group includes bigger birds with the most potential to damage aircraft.

``Wading birds and shore birds are very responsive to harassment by the border collie,'' said Erwin, who points to a sharp increase in the number of these birds during April 1999, when Jet was absent because of additional training and an injury unrelated to his airport duties.

Bird strikes cause problems for airports nationwide. At SWFIA, nine strikes were recorded in 1997 and 16 in 1998. During 1999, that number dropped to four, due in large part to Jet. None of the strikes caused aircraft damage or delays for passengers.

Jet responds to whistle and voice commands from airport operations agents who patrol with him twice daily directing him to clear specific areas. Jet works tirelessly and is precisely guided to herd birds, not just scatter them. Training enhanced his instinct to herd, but not hurt, the birds. The birds have not become accustomed to Jet as they have to sirens and pyrotechnics.

Jet was acquired for $6,000 from Border Collie Rescue, a national non- profit organization based in Melrose, Fla. As the first dog in the nation involved in a wildlife management program at a commercial airport, Jet has become a celebrity of sorts, with his own business cards and e-mail address, Jet-A-Dawg@swfia.com .

Southwest Florida International Airport opened in 1983 and has served more than 4 million passengers each year since 1994. It serves the vacation destination of Sanibel and Captiva Islands, Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, Naples, Punta Gorda and Marco Island, along the Gulf of Mexico on Florida's southwest coast.

SOURCE: Southwest Florida International Airport