Jackal problem continues to dog Kolkata airport | Kolkata News

Kolkata: A golden jackal sighting on the runway at Kolkata airport forced an arriving Chennai flight to divert to Durgapur, once again drawing attention to a persistent wildlife challenge that the airport operator has been trying to contain for years.Though the captain’s decision to divert rather than wait for the animal to be driven away and attempt another landing has triggered discussion in aviation circles, the larger concern is the recurring presence of jackals inside the airport premises. Any animal movement near the runway requires operations to be halted temporarily because of the risk of a strike during landing or takeoff.Airport officials said seven jackals have been trapped on the premises so far this year, the highest since 2023, when nine were caught. The numbers, however, are significantly lower than in 2019, when 35 jackals were trapped. In 2021, 16 jackals were caught. Around 40 camouflaged trap cages are currently placed across the airport grounds to capture animals that enter operational or restricted areas.Officials said jackals are drawn to the airport and adjoining land in search of grass, prey and food waste. The problem tends to worsen during the monsoon or after unseasonal rain, when burrows get flooded and the animals move out into open areas.Between 2017 and 2019, the airport engaged Nature Environment and Wildlife Society and specialised Narikurava hunters from Tamil Nadu to deal with the issue. During that drive, 51 jackals and 10 jungle cats were captured and rehabilitated. Officials said the intensity of the problem has reduced since then, but sporadic sightings continue, particularly during wet weather.Wildlife experts said airports often attract animals because of their large open spaces, relatively low human disturbance and patches of undeveloped green land. As urban expansion reduces natural habitats, animals are increasingly pushed towards city fringes, including airport zones that can become suitable shelters or breeding grounds.For Kolkata airport, the challenge remains one of constant monitoring and rapid response. While trapping and rehabilitation have reduced the scale of the problem, the latest incident shows that even a single animal entering the runway area can disrupt flight operations and pose a safety risk.