Help us keep aircraft safe by not attracting wildlife to PGD.
Do not encourage wildlife by feeding or leaving food for them. Bird strikes can cause significant damage to aircraft and lead to life-threatening incidents. In fact, feeding wildlife is illegal in Florida. Learn more about Punt Gorda Airport’s (PGD) Wildlife Hazard Management Plan and how you can help.
DID YOU KNOW?
- Birds gathering near or on airports can become victims of bird-aircraft collisions, potentially causing flight delays, damage to aircraft, and loss of human life.
- According to the FAA, wildlife-aircraft strikes have resulted in the loss of hundreds of lives worldwide, as well as billions of dollars in aircraft damage over the last century.
- You are not allowed to have a bird feeder on airport property.
- Bird feed also attracts rats, raccoons, squirrels and skunks among other rodents.
- PGD has a Wildlife Hazard Management plan that is approved by the FAA to reduce wildlife hazards.
- Airport staff works to reduce wildlife attractants like ledges, structures and trees where animals like to nest.
- Airport staff utilizes noisemakers to chase wildlife away from the airfield.
- The Charlotte County Airport Authority, the entity that operates PGD, has spent $1.8 million to fill-in wetlands and purchase wetland mitigation bank credits and fees.
- Feeding wildlife is punishable by civil penalty of $100, and subsequent violations can be considered second degree misdemeanor or even a felony.
- Feeding wildlife leads to public health concerns. Too many animals in one place increases the chance of disease transmission to people and among other wildlife.