BEIJING: China has hired monkeys and eagles to ensure aircraft safety during a massive parade this week to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II where the communist giant will demonstrate its air power.
Military staff is training these animals at an unspecified air force base. It will use monkeys to dismantle nests on trees and eagles to 'patrol the skies' to drive away other birds, South China Morning Post reported.
The animals have been deployed at an air force base involved in the parade, which officer Wang Mingzhi said was in a bird migration corridor -- with 400 to 500 species present -- potentially affecting aircraft safety.
Birds undermine the safety of the military’s flight training. Birds can cause severe damage to planes when they ollide, said Wang.
"No one can climb trees as tall as 30 metres," Wang said.
"With shotguns, we can blow off only two nests with a box of bullets. If we use water cannon, it would be a waste of water and human resources."
The officers have five monkeys, who together candismantle 60 nests a day.
Beijing has also banned people from releasing pigeons for half a day on Thursday, when the parade will take place.
The communist nation will demonstrate itsintercontinental ballistic missiles and a bomber, which has a range of 3,600 km, along with a host of weapons at the parade on September 3, which will be attended by 30 world leaders.
About 1,000 foreign troops from 17 countries, including Pakistan, will participate i the military parade.