©(AP Photo/John Raby)
Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- What do you think could happen if birds or other animals go near airplanes?
- Do you think animals and people can work together in a team? Why or why not?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- handler /HAND-ler/
- risk /risk/
- strike /strahyk/
- herd /hurd/
- terminal /TUR-muh-nl/
[noun] – a person who takes care of and controls animals
The handler trained the guide dog to help people with vision problems.
[noun] – the chance that something bad or dangerous may happen
There are risks when driving fast on a rainy road.
[noun] – when one thing hits another
Tree strikes on cars are common during strong storms.
[verb] – to move animals as a group in a certain direction
The farmer taught his dog to herd the sheep into the barn.
[noun] – a building at an airport where passengers get on or off a plane
We waited for our flight in the airport terminal.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
Two border collies, Hercules and Ned, play an important role at West Virginia International Yeager Airport. They help prevent dangerous accidents between wildlife and airplanes. The airport is located on a mountain in Charleston, and the dogs patrol the one-mile airfield every day with their handler. Their job is to scare away birds and other animals that might create risks for flights. Wildlife strikes are a serious problem at U.S. airports, with about 19,000 incidents reported in 2023, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Most strikes involve birds, which can damage airplanes, cause delays, and sometimes result in fatalities. The airport got Hercules in 2018 after a wildlife expert recommended using dogs. Hercules had already trained for 18 months in North Carolina, learning to herd geese and sheep, which helped prepare him for his airport job.
Hercules has become well-known in the local community. He is popular on social media and often greets passengers at the terminal. Recently, Ned joined the team. He also trained to herd animals like goats and geese. Together, they patrol the airfield while staying in contact with air traffic control for any wildlife reports. The dogs’ herding instincts help them safely chase away birds without hurting them. Experts say their work is important for flight safety, like in the 2009 incident when a bird strike forced an airplane to land in the Hudson River.
Hercules has become well-known in the local community. He is popular on social media and often greets passengers at the terminal. Recently, Ned joined the team. He also trained to herd animals like goats and geese. Together, they patrol the airfield while staying in contact with air traffic control for any wildlife reports. The dogs’ herding instincts help them safely chase away birds without hurting them. Experts say their work is important for flight safety, like in the 2009 incident when a bird strike forced an airplane to land in the Hudson River.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- Where is the airport located?
- What is the job of the dogs at the airport?
- What kind of animals do the dogs help keep away from planes?
- How many wildlife strikes were reported at U.S. airports in 2023?
- What do the dogs do when they hear reports from air traffic control?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever seen a dog working in a public place, like an airport or a park? If yes, what was the dog doing? If not, where do you think dogs can help people?
- Have you ever seen birds flying near an airport or a busy road? If yes, what did you think when you saw them? If not, where else do you think birds can be a problem?
- Do you agree that animals like birds can cause problems at airports?
- Why do you think airports use dogs like Hercules and Ned instead of machines?
- What are some other ways airports could protect planes from wildlife?