Injured Great Blue Heron Recovers After Vancouver Airport Collision

It has been a roller-coaster of emotions, but pilot Alex Toporowski is relieved a great blue heron made a full recovery after striking an Air Canada Jazz flight on Sept. 29. The collision occurred at Vancouver’s airport as the aircraft prepared for departure.

A wildlife rescue group confirmed that the large water bird has made a full recovery following the incident. According to Marina Schwarz, advancement director for the Wildlife Rescue Association of B.C., the animal suffered a suspected concussion, an eye injury, bruises, and scratches during the impact.

Pilot Brakes After Bird Strikes Plane Wing

Toporowski recounted that he was about to take off for Toronto on the Dash 8 plane when his first officer alerted him to the large water bird flying toward them. Toporowski stated that he hit the brakes and watched the bird bounce up off the wing.

Following the strike, maintenance crews examined the aircraft and found no damage, allowing the flight to depart an hour later. Airport staff retrieved the injured bird from the south runway and transported it to the wildlife rescue facility.

Heron Recovers and Flies Away in Video

Great blue herons can stand 135 centimetres tall and are classified as a vulnerable species by the B.C. government, which estimates their provincial population to be between 5,000 and 6,000.

After receiving care, the heron was successfully released at Gilbert Beach in Richmond, B.C., on October 5. Toporowski noted that the wildlife service shared a video of the release with him, calling it a beautiful full-circle moment to see the bird flying off into the distance.

All I can do is hope that he stays away from airports in the future, Toporowski said.