麻豆社

A crow on the edge of extinction has joined the elite group of birds known to use tools. The Hawaiian Crow is so rare that its extinct in the wild - but scientists have now discovered it can use tools such a twigs to help them forage for food.

Dr Christian Rutz from the University of St Andrews and the lead researcher on the project said: 鈥淭ool use is incredibly rare across the animal kingdom, and to see tool manufacture is quite extraordinary.鈥�

The last few birds were brought into captivity in a desperate effort to save this species from extinction. There are now 130 birds in captivity, and the team at San Diego Zoo Global are preparing for them to be released into the wild later this year.

鈥淩esearch has provided insight into the species ecology, and helps us understand how to bring it back into the wild,鈥� added Dr Rutz.

This clip is originally from 5 live Breakfast on Thursday 15 September 2016.