To help keep its runway free from wildlife, an Italian airport spent $14,700 to employ a golden eagle to do the rather risky job.

A spokesperson for the airport in the southern city of Bari, said they came up with the idea after a number of incidents had caused the runway had to be closed due to intrusions of - foxes.

The spokesman said the foxes usually hunt in the airport fields at dawn and dusk when mice and rabbits start coming out in the open.

But with the Cheyenne, a six-month-old golden eagle reared in Germany, coming to help them for the job, on top of the sumptuous meal she will surely make of the foxes, airport authorities are optimistic the wild animals stay of the restricted area.

Cheyenne, who has a 6-foot wingspan and is able to lift 18kilograms, almost three times her body weight, will be subjected to her first test flight in a week's time.