Tuesday, May 13, 2014

The Chinese Military Are Now Training Monkeys

The People's Liberation Army Air Force has trained macaques to keep troops safe by discouraging birds from nesting near the air force base.

Meet The Monkeys Keeping Chinese Troops Safe -- CNN

(CNN) -- The Chinese air force has a new secret weapon: monkeys.

The People's Liberation Army Air Force has trained macaques to keep its troops safe by discouraging birds from nesting near the air force base, the PLA's website reported earlier this week.

The monkeys are used in an unidentified air force base in northern China, which is situated right on a major migratory route for birds.

When swarms of birds fly around the base, it poses a threat to military planes that are in mid-flight. The birds could potentially get sucked into plane engines, endangering the lives of both birds and pilots.

"Don't worry, we now have a secret weapon!" Su Chuang, a high-ranking officer, was quoted as saying on the PLA website. The officer was referring to the specially-trained monkeys that answer to the sound of a whistle.

Read more ....

More News On The Chinese Military Training Monkeys To Defend Their Airfields

They’re fierce, furry and ready to protect China -- Washington Post
China: Airfield uses monkeys to prevent bird strikes -- BBC
China’s Military Recruits Monkeys to Protect Air Force Base -- WSJ
Chinese air force trains unit of monkeys to defend airbase -- The Independent
China’s new secret air force weapon: Monkeys -- Washington Times
China Commands an Army of Trained Monkeys -- io9
Meet China's Military Monkey Commandos -- The Wire
The Chinese Air Force's 'secret weapon' is a group of trained monkeys -- Shanghaiist
Monkeys are N China air force base's new best friend -- Want China Times

My Comment: About 20 years ago on a visit to China I came across some of these monkeys in a sanctuary for wildlife .... they can be vicious. I can still remember how loud they can scream.

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