TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Dutch police to use eagles to bring down drones
Change Size
Whenever police find drones engaged in activities that threaten public safety or flying in restricted, sensitive areas, eagles will be sent to bring the remote-controlled tiny crafts down.
(Shutterstock/File)
T
he increasing popularity of drones and their potential criminal applications has led the Dutch police to seek a unique solution, and they are now set to be the world's first force to use eagles as "winged warriors".
"It's a low-tech solution to a high-tech problem," police spokesman Dennis Janus told AFP during the first public demonstration of the project.
Several trials have been conducted since last year and the Dutch forces confirmed Monday that the results had met their expectations. Now, whenever police find drones engaged in activities that threaten public safety or flying in restricted, sensitive areas, eagles will be sent to bring the remote-controlled tiny crafts down.
(Read also: New Zealand pizza chain to make deliveries by drone)
"None of the eagles were hurt, but as for the drones, none of them survived," said Janus. "The eagles see the drones as prey and intercept them as they are flying, before landing where they feel safe with the drone still in their claws."
"We haven't found any other method to intercept the drones, but we are continuing to explore other possibilities," he added.
The birds purchased by the Dutch police force are an addition to their other animal recruits, such as dogs and horses. Slated to officially begin operating next summer, around 100 police officers will be prepared for the interesting project. (kes)
