French theme park trains crows to pick up attraction's litter

An historical theme park in France is training six crows to pick up cigarette ends and rubbish in a bid to keep it clean.

Nicolas de Villiers, president of the Puy de Fou park in Vendee, said the initiative would show visitors that nature itself could teach them to care for the environment.

He said: "The goal is not just to clear up, because the visitors are generally careful to keep things clean."

The six "particularly intelligent" rooks are to be put to work from Friday.

Each time the rook drops a piece of rubbish or cigarette end into the box, they will be rewarded with a small nugget of food.

Puy du Fou is in the west of the France, and is one of the country's most popular theme parks.

It features more than 20 shows, each with a different historical setting, ranging from vikings to musketeers to flamenco dancing.

Birds of prey shows are also a popular part of its repertoire.