BHUBANESWAR: In the wake of a plane hitting a buffalo at Surat airport last week, airport authorities here have reviewed the movement of stray animals in the areas where the flights land and take off.The authorities have pressed in two tractors, six grass cutters and have put up six cages to trap stray animals.

"Although we have not come across instances of stray cattle (buffaloes or cows) entering the operational areas, we have kept everything ready to drive them out. The boundary wall of the airport has an iron fence. It is unlikely that cattle will scale the fence and enter the airport," said airport director Sharad Kumar.

The Delhi-bound SpiceJet flight from Surat, with nearly 150 passengers on board, hit the buffalo while trying to take off. Although no one was injured in the incident, the aircraft was damaged.

He said dogs roaming within 3-km radius of the airport would be sterilized to check further breeding apart from catching the existing dogs near the operational area of the airport.

"The veterinary surgeons of Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) have agreed to implement Animal Birth Control (ABC) to stop further breeding of dogs. The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has also agreed to press dog catching squad," said the director.

He said stray dogs are found roaming near the airport in Palashpalli, Pokhariput, Bhimpur, Goutam Nagar and Gandamunda areas. Stray animals have been captured from the Biju Patnaik airport in the last two years.

In November 2012, a wild cat was found trapped in the cage. In September last year a wild jackal was found in the operational areas. And in June and July this year, two jackals were found trapped in the cage.

The frequent movements of jackals in the operational areas prompted the airport authorities to clean up the bush and cover all the ditches. Sanjib Guru, a frequent flier, said many residential houses have come up around the airport making it far more vulnerable.

"The iron fence may prevent cows or buffaloes from entering the operation areas but small-size animals like cats and dogs can easily make a leap. Since there are instances of animals being spotted in the operation areas, the airport authorities should form a specialized squad, which will be deployed during take off and landing of an aircraft," he said.

In July, the airport officials admitted that there are about 20 jackals and wild cats in the airport.

"Since jackals appear at night, adequate measures should be taken for flight operation after 6 pm. Second, the airport will earn a bad name if animal menace is not checked before start of international operations," said Srikanta Rout, a businessman, who frequently travels by air.