Eshan Maitra
There has been big rise of drone usage. Since, required parts very much available to buy at much lower prices. But this fluid accessibility of drone use has also challenged the security measures. Not just teenage pranks or sneaking over a pool-party using a drone. A drone as well can carry a bomb, or such destructive devices. To prevent such security breach by a cheap and tiny gadget, a Dutch company, Guard from Above has taken up the Eagle Training Project. They will be training Eagles like the old days for air protection.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) visit to the wild and Eagles going after one feeling threaten, is often seen. Guard from Above found this opportunity and put in use. Eagles aren’t easy to pet. But once their trust is won by the master, Eagles can become one of the most loyal pets. This Netherlands-based company has already put together group of experts and training the birds like guard dogs.
Guard from Above published an article “Low-tech Solution for a High-tech Problem”. Though the idea sounded bit crazy at first, but this article got them interested. In December, a drone was found at Oakwood prison smuggling in drugs, mobile phones and electronic accessories. On Stephen Castle’s report on The New York Times, Mark Wiebes, Detective Chief Superintendent of the Dutch police said mention this, “We have seen a number of incidents around airfields, and, in the end, we want to be prepared should anyone want to use a drone for an attack of some sort.” The Dutch national police force is planning to deploy the eagles “soon”, after further field tests. Fortunately, the Security Consultants, Pioneer of Guard From Above, Sjoerd Hoogendoorn told The New York Times that, no birds have been seriously harmed so far in the training process and animal safety has always been their top priority. This idea has also attracted The Metropolitan Police Service in London for their drone defense strategy.