French theme park employs ‘intelligent’ crows to clean up litter

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Six crows specially trained to pick up cigarette ends and rubbish will be put to work next week at a French historical theme park, its president said on Friday.

"The goal is not just to clear up, because the visitors are generally careful to keep things clean" but also to show that "nature itself can teach us to take care of the environment," Nicolas de Villiers of the Puy du Fou park, in the western Vendee region, told AFP.

Rooks, a member of the crow family of birds that also includes the carrion crow, jackdaw and raven, are considered to be "particularly intelligent" and in the right circumstances "like to communicate with humans and establish a relationship through play," Villiers said.

The birds will be encouraged to spruce up the park through the use of a small box that delivers a tasty nugget of bird food each time the rook deposits a cigarette end or small piece of rubbish, he added.

About 7,000 people attend the circus games in the "Triumph's Sign" live show in the Puy du Fou theme park in Les Epesses, western France, ‍August 16, 2013. /VCG Photo

Puy du Fou park is rated among the best-maintained theme parks in France. The theme park, launched in 1978 by noted French entrepreneur, politician and novelist Philippe de Villiers, receives over 2 million visitors annually, making it the second most visited park in France after Disneyland Paris.

The park is known for its highlight show named “Cinéscénie,” which tells the story of the 700 years of history of the region. The Cinéscénie boasts the largest stage in the world, 1,200 actors, hundreds of horses and about 800 fireworks per performance.

All the actors and actresses (even the children) come from the local villages and are volunteers. The Cinéscénie is only performed during peak season.

The Guardian has described the rural theme park as a "bizarre phenomenon," one that is absent of rides but flush with theatrical extravaganzas and a place where "history itself provides the roller coaster ride."

And, The Telegraph rated the shows at the park as even better than Disney.

(Cover: Photo via VCG)

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Source(s): AFP