There is a number of ways used by agencies to intercept rogue drones. Some of them include*radio jamming and other are based on net-wielding interceptor drones but Dutch police is testing much more interesting approach. It partnered with a raptor-training security firm from Denmark called “Guard From Above” to see if eagles can be used to safely intercept quadcopters. The birds are being trained to identify and catch drones. The results are very promising.*The video below shows an eagle intercepting a DJI Phantom in the air.
It’s not clear how dangerous this could be for the birds. Carbon fiber props spinning at full speed could easily hurt the animals. Interestingly eagles seems to be aware of it. In nature they track*their victims from a couple of miles and they attack fast in the middle of the back. When it comes to drones eagles seem to notice the movements of rotors and they hit from the side which is safe for them.
Dutch police is supposed to evaluate the results in a couple of months. No matter of the results it is a really interesting case, a*low-tech solution to a high-tech problem.
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