Trio of 'detective' vultures birds

German police are training a new anti-crime weapon, which is three vulture birds, animals capable of detecting hidden bodies.

The trio of winged detectives named Sherlock, Marple and Columbo are being trained at the Walsrode bird garden in northern Germany. The sharp eyes and the precise ability of these 3 vultures to sniff them can make them become clever detectives like novel characters of the same name.

Vulture birds are being trained to become "detectives" for German police.
Photo: BBC.

Vultures are judged to be more capable of being quicker than professional dogs in detecting bodies in large areas with difficult terrain. However, testing using vultures in investigating cases also creates moral concerns because the bird has a habit of pecking off human bodies.

This week, two vultures named Marple and Columbo left the zoo in Austria to join Hanover to train with "colleague" Sherlock. Police will use all three birds because vultures prefer to operate groups in large areas.

" Vultures can work much more effectively than hounds. We have investigating cases in Germany, Austria and Sweden that need vultures, " a police officer said. close in Hanover said.