Reducing Operational Risks with Wildlife Management Solutions

Introduction

Wildlife management systems are now an essential operational requirement for infrastructure operators due to the increased interactions between wildlife and built environments. Airports, solar parks, rail corridors, ports, and logistics hubs are becoming more exposed to wildlife-related issues that can jeopardize safety, reduce the time of operation, and increase difficulty in meeting regulatory compliance. Nowadays, as the density of infrastructures increases and changing climate patterns cause wildlife to behave differently, operators are moving from reactive mitigation to structured, technology-enabled wildlife management frameworks.

The aviation sector is still the most significant example of formal wildlife management systems. In February 2024, the Airport Authority of India, as part of its expansion of the Wildlife Hazard Management Programme, introduced the program to several regional airports. The program at these airports now includes standardized monitoring protocols, habitat modification measures, and the use of non, lethal deterrent technologies.

This was a consequence of an increase in bird strike incidents that were reported and that were due to the growth of the urban area around the airport perimeters. Similar steps were taken in Southeast Asia where airport operators are progressively aligning their wildlife control programs with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) guidelines in order to remain certified for safety.

Energy infrastructure is one of the major areas for technology adoption as well. For example, in June 2024, Enel Green Power rolled out next gen animal monitoring systems at the company's European solar farms. The new systems not only involve visual repellent and perimeter control technologies but are also designed to decrease bird disturbances at the solar panels and cabling areas. The statement of the company noted that, although hardly ever, such disruptions due to wildlife may lead to maintenance inefficiencies and, thus, compliance risks with the environmental permit conditions.

Rail and road infrastructure agencies are also devoting funds to wildlife management as a component of their asset protection strategies. In October 2024, Network Rail in the UK updated its ecological risk management plan by incorporating measures against the problems caused by birds nesting, rodents, or animal traffic along the busy routes. These schemes indicate that wildlife management is now a part of the long term infrastructure maintenance planning to a greater extent rather than a short term, out of the blue, intervention.

For a focused assessment of bird specific deterrent technologies used within infrastructure environments, refer to the Bird Repellent Market report and its table of contents.

Major Trends, Drivers and Challenges

Operational risk reduction is the most significant factor behind the adoption of wildlife management. Wildlife incidents often lead to disruptions in service, create safety hazards, and bring about expensive damages to assets. For instance, in the aviation industry, bird strikes not only risk the structural integrity of the aircraft but also passenger safety. On the other hand, in the sectors of power generation and logistics infrastructure, equipment breakdowns or contamination threats can result from wildlife nuisances. Increasingly, the owners of infrastructures are realizing that managing wildlife proactively is a way to save money compared to dealing with the aftermath of an incident.

One major development is the incorporation of wildlife management management in the regulatory and safety frameworks. Operators of infrastructural facilities need to show that they have conducted risk assessment regarding wildlife and they have put sufficient risk mitigation measures before their safety audits and environmental compliance. For example, in March 2025, airport operators from several countries in the Middle East revised their wildlife management plans in order to comply with the updated aviation safety inspection criteria which now put heavier weights on continuous monitoring and documentation. To get the right regulation, it is a good idea to have at hand standardized systems and professional service providers.

Technological advancement is causing a shift in the way wildlife management is done. The use of surveillance systems, data logging tools, and automated deterrents by operators is becoming common with the main goal being to gain more situational awareness. In high risk areas, acoustic deterrents, radar, based bird detection systems, and motion, activated visual systems are regularly introduced. Besides, these devices help with intervention at an early stage and also reduce the need for manual patrols, thus, meeting the goals of labor optimization.

Outsourcing is also a significant trend. Infrastructures owners are increasingly contracting specialized wildlife management companies for such services instead of handling the programs themselves. In July 2024, a major European airport signed a new multi-year contract for wildlife management services with a specialist environmental services provider. The agreement merged the aspects of bird control, habitat management, and reporting under one vendor. This way, accountability is raised and compliance documentation is facilitated.

There are still issues in finding a balance between wildlife conservation and the need for uninterrupted operations. Many localities have stringent wildlife conservation laws that prohibit the use of certain intervention methods. In such cases, infrastructure operators have to come up with deterrent management systems that do not injure animals, thus a situation of coordination with environmental authorities. This regulatory maze adds to the time and cost of planning.

Cost continues to be a major factor affecting adoption, especially in the case of the smaller infrastructure projects. Some of the sophisticated detection and deterrent technological products need to be purchased, which is a consideration especially if there has not been an incident before. Consequently, the uptick in the use of the technology is more after there has been a disruption and is not as a preventive measure.

Nevertheless, wildlife management systems are gradually becoming a key element of the overall strategy. It is estimated that climate change and the growth of cities will lead to more frequent contacts between wildlife and human infrastructures. It is anticipated that the operators that proactively build in the framework of structured wildlife management will be the ones that will benefit most from the arrangements as they will be able to secure assets, stay in compliance, and have uninterrupted operations.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Definition and Scope
3. Wildlife Risk Exposure Across Infrastructure Types
4. Aviation and Transport Sector Adoption
5. Energy and Industrial Infrastructure Applications
6. Technology Enabled Wildlife Management Systems
7. Regulatory and Environmental Compliance
8. Outsourcing and Service Provider Models
9. Challenges and Constraints
10. Outlook and Strategic Opportunities

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