Falcon Power
While we are always very proud of our technological advances (and we have many to brag about) one of our most successful systems up here at the landfill is one of our most old-fashioned and “lowest tech.” Our seagull abatement program, which is the most effective abatement program in our history, doesn't use any kind of equipment at all. We simply use visiting falcons to scare the seagulls away.
The program is the brainchild of Moorpark exotic animal handler and master falconer Joe Suffredini, who suggested the program after coming by to drop a load of trash. We jumped on the suggestion, because it seemed like one of those no-brainers; good for the environment and extremely efficient to boot. Joe and his falcons visit our landfill operation several times a week. The falcons, which have been trained not to prey on other birds, do not attack or even go near the gulls, but the gulls react instinctively to seeing the birds of prey and they disperse.
After a few turns around the landfill, the falcons are rewarded with a treat. The birds are highly trained to do this work, but just in case they might stray, they are outfitted with tiny transmitters so that Joe and his crew can track them down if they decide to go for a spin around Simi Valley. Tuck, one of the chief falcon enforcement officers is also the landfill's resident movie star; you can see him soaring through the air in Stuart Little 2.
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