Summary
At West Virginia International Yeager Airport, border collies Hercules and Ned play crucial roles in wildlife management, patrolling the airfield to prevent bird strikes that can endanger flights. Hercules, an 8-year-old local celebrity, calms passengers while Ned, a year younger, learns from him and assists in scaring off birds. Since their introduction in 2018, the dogs have significantly contributed to aviation safety, with wildlife collisions posing serious risks, including 19,000 strikes reported in 2023 alone, underscoring the importance of their work.