Great blue heron survives Vancouver airport plane strike and is released
A pilot's aircraft struck a great blue heron at Vancouver's airport, and the bird recovered from a suspected concussion before its October release.
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A great blue heron struck by an Air Canada Jazz aircraft at Vancouver's airport in late September has survived and been released back into the wild.
Alex Toporowski, a longtime pilot, was preparing a ferry flight out of the airport when the bird collided with the plane. He said he was travelling about 60 km/h when the heron hit the leading edge of the wing and bounced up and over it, leaving a feathery and oily imprint behind. He braked, and he called Wildlife Rescue because the bird is rare in the province. He was told it was still alive, with its wings and legs intact but dazed.
The bird was taken for rehabilitation. Linda Bokker, co-executive director of the Wildlife Rescue Association of BC, said staff were expecting severe injuries. The association said the heron had an eye injury, scratches, bruises and a suspected concussion. Bokker said it recovered quickly and was standing and flying within a day.
It was released seven days after the strike, in October. Toporowski said he hopes the bird stays away from airports.
