Dozens of birds shot at Oakland airport

After roughly 60 dead or wounded birds washed up at Oyster Bay Regional Shoreline near the airport, alarmed visitors prompted an investigation by the California Department of Fish and Game. The state department determined Wednesday that no laws had been violated.

The incident occurred Dec. 23, after flocks of birds focused in on the water off the airport and did not scatter despite being subjected to loud noises and other techniques.

The action was taken by wildlife specialists assigned to the airport by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They have permits from the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife that allows birds to be killed if their presence is seen as a potential danger to aircraft.

"The nonlethal methods used to scare away birds are successful 90 percent of the time," said Robert Bernardo, an airport spokesman. "In this case, experts made the determination that it (shooting) was essential for human safety."