FREE Bird Strike DNA Testing: Transport Canada Pilot Project
Transport Canada is undertaking a new pilot project investigating the relevance of DNA identification for unidentifiable bird remains found after bird strikes.
For the first three months of 2021 (January 1st to March 31st), Now airports will be able to send any unidentifiable remains, free of charge, to Guelph University’s Biodiversity lab for DNA identification.
Please do not send intact bird remains. (BSAC asks that you photograph intact or largely intact remains (how to photograph and label your strike photo) and send them to photo@canadianbirdstrike.ca
All certified airports will be receiving a DNA sampling kit directly from Transport Canada in the coming weeks. Many airports will also have received on from BSAC several years ago. If additional sampling kits are required, they can be requested from Transport Canada (Devon.Harris@tc.gc.ca) or directly from Guelph University (info@ccdb.ca).
If you find unidentifiable remains at your airport, please take the following steps:
- Collect the sample as per the instructions in the DNA kits
- Mail the sample and form to:
Attn: Canadian Bird Strike Services
Biodiversity Institute of Ontario, University of Guelph
50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1
DNA results will be provided to both the organization which submitted the remains, as well as directly to Transport Canada. We look forward to the results. Any feedback or comments on this pilot project are welcome and can be addressed to Devon.