But The Animals Are Not Being Ingested Into Engines, As Had Been Reported

Recent media reports of rabbits being ingested into aircraft engines at Dublin Airport are false, according to the Dublin Airport Authority.

Fox News reports that, according to the DAA, initial reports from The Irish Post of 54 incidents of animals being sucked into engines since January are false, and the paper has since taken down the erroneous report. However, the authority said that animals are struck by taxiing planes and other vehicles fairly regularly.

“Contrary to media reports, no hares or birds have been ingested into aircraft engines Dublin Airport this year," said DAA Spokesman Paul O'Kane. "Unfortunately, 43 birds and 11 hares have been struck by either an aircraft or a vehicle on the airfield, but no animals have been ingested into an aircraft engine."

Measures have been taken by airport officials to minimize the risk to aviation by wildlife at the airport. They have implemented a "catch and release" program to control the animals, and shooting them "when necessary."

(Image from file)

FMI: Source report