When you think of eagles (the bird not the band) you think of America (then again, even if you thought of the band you’d still be thinking of America).

Not long after the Revolutionary War, the big taloned bald eagle was claimed by the Founding Fathers to symbolize the United States and all that it stands for: liberty, freedom, and big box stores, as far as the eye can see.

But recently however, another country has made waves in utilizing the bird for their own purposes, hiring the bird to protect them from the robotic flying insects of our modern world/future: drones.

This from Engadget:

As part of a new trial, the Dutch National Police force has begun training eagles to intercept troublesome drones during an emergency, when another capture device might put people at risk.

In collaboration with raptor training company Guard From Above, Dutch police taught an eagle to recognize a DJI drone. Once in sight, the bird flies toward its mechanical prey, snatches it with its enormous talons and then takes it to safe place. The eagle is one of the two “physical” methods the force are trialling — the other being a safety net — but a trained bird of prey gives officers more control over where the offending drone is brought down to earth.

What makes eagles effective drone hunters? Their feet have four powerful toes that are strong enough to grip and carry heavy objects, whether it’s a wild animal or a heavy UAV. But even though they have toughened talons, drone rotors could still damage the bird. A spokesperson says the force will look at ways to better protect their flying counterparts while they conduct trials over the next few months.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HifO-ebmE1s

What’s next? Hiring grizzlies to take out ISIS (Islamic State, IS, ISIL, Daesh, etc.)?