The performances of dolphins and sea lions at marine parks often leave spectators amazed and amused. Renowned for their intelligence and wit, these marine animals are capable of complex thinking. Recently, the U.S. Navy has taken this understanding to a new level, employing these animals in a unique security role.
Deploying marine animals for security
The U.S. Navy plans to station dozens of dolphins and sea lions at a military base in Washington State. These marine animals have undergone rigorous training to detect and apprehend underwater attackers. The base, home to numerous submarines, ships, and labs, could be a potential target for attacks from the surface and underwater, necessitating an enhanced defense system.
Dolphins: The underwater sentries
The U.S. Navy’s plan involves transferring 30 California sea lions and Atlantic bottlenose dolphins from their San Diego, California training base to the Puget Sound, Washington Navy base. These animals are part of the U.S. Navy’s Marine Mammal Training Program.
Tom LaPuzza, a spokesperson for the program, vouched for the animals’ abilities to fulfill this role. Dolphins, with their acute hearing, excel at locating underwater targets. On detecting human presence in the water, they emit an alarm, indicating to monitoring personnel the location of the potential threat.
Sea lions: The underwater apprehenders
Equipped with special cuffs connected to long ropes in their mouths, sea lions are trained to apprehend suspicious targets. Once a target is detected, the sea lion clamps the cuff onto the person’s leg, preventing their escape until they can be questioned.
Animal welfare concerns
While the U.S. Navy first proposed deploying marine animals at northwestern bases in 1989, a federal judge ruled in favor of animal rights activists. The primary concern was Puget Sound’s significantly lower water temperatures than San Diego, which could adversely affect the marine animals. Additionally, there were concerns about potential impacts on the marine ecosystem.
In response, the U.S. Navy tested the animals’ adaptability to low temperatures by taking them to colder regions like Alaska and Northern Europe. LaPuzza assured that these animals are highly adaptable to water temperature changes. If deployed at the Washington base, the animals would patrol for no more than two hours before being placed in warmer conditions.
Dolphins vs. technology
The U.S. Navy has trained marine mammals since the 1960s, with around 100 dolphins and sea lions currently enlisted. Despite advancements in technology, the U.S. Navy has yet to find a mechanical device that can match the capabilities of these marine animals for patrol and security tasks. Until then, the dolphins and sea lions will continue to serve as crucial members of the U.S. Navy’s security team, proving that nature often outshines even the most advanced technology.
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