Dolphin Army: The Surprising Role of Dolphins in the Military
While it may sound like a scene from a Hollywood film, dolphins are trained to serve military purposes. Their natural behaviour may have nothing to do with warfare, but their intelligence and their ability to learn quickly makes them the perfect candidates for specialized military tasks. The United States (formerly the Soviet Union), as well as Russia, have both used these intelligent cetaceans for various military purposes. The U.S. Navy has a long history of using cetaceans in military missions.
Dolphins: What are their origins?
The Marine Mammal Program was launched by the U.S. Navy in the 1960s to investigate two aspects of dolphin ability:
- Their swimming and diving capabilities–researchers aimed to learn from dolphins how they maneuver through water, with potential applications to improve naval structures, like boats and submarines.
- Their use of echolocation–dolphins use sound waves to detect objects, which can be applied to create more effective methods of detecting underwater objects such as mines and other hazards.
The Navy trained dolphins as well as sea lions and whales. However, dolphins were the most valuable during crucial military operations such as the Cold War and the Vietnam War. They were indispensable because of their unique sonar capabilities and incredible learning capacity.
The former Soviet Union, on the other side, also used dolphins to perform similar tasks. However, after the fall of the USSR, their military dolphin program was disbanded. The U.S., however, continued its dolphin initiatives and refined their role in military missions.
A Military Dolphin’s Work
Dolphins can detect underwater objects with great precision because of their exceptional echolocation abilities. They can identify and locate submerged objects with great precision because they are able to emit high-frequency clicks that bounce back off of objects. In military programs, dolphins are assigned roles rather than general tasks. Here are some key functions that they perform:
- Mine detection and marking: A dolphin can locate and mark underwater mines that are buried in shallow water.
- Searching and recovering lost items: Dolphins can assist in retrieving lost items from the ocean bottom, whether it is military equipment or vital objects.
- Patrolling specific areas: dolphins are trained to guard strategic areas such as military zones or harbours to detect intruders.
- Identifying Intruders: The dolphins are able to swim in sensitive areas and will alert their handlers when they detect an unauthorised swimmer.
Although these tasks may seem simple, some analysts believe that dolphins could be used in more aggressive military tactics such as the planting of mines on foreign vessels or engaging divers in potentially deadly ways. These activities haven’t been confirmed by the military but their possible use is still a subject of discussion.
Dolphin Training: A Fascinating Process
Dolphins are both impressive and fascinating in the way they perform their military duties. They can detect different objects underwater using their echolocation ability. This includes detecting metals of various types. A dolphin, for example, can distinguish between a metal ore and other materials based on the way sound waves bounce. Tom Lapuzza is a spokesperson for the U.S. Marine Mammal Program. He claims that dolphins can tell a metal apart from another.
Dolphins can be fitted with sensors to alert staff when an intruder is present. The dolphins may wear devices that emit light or sound to guide them toward the target, marking the location of an intruder. They may even use a tag to mark an intruder so that soldiers can identify and capture them.
Mine detection is also a precise process. When a dolphin finds a mine it marks its exact location with a series of buoys. The Navy can safely retrieve the mine by using this method.
The Navy has officially denied these rumours, even though they have been circulating, particularly during wartime operations. Analysts, however, believe that dolphins were trained to perform more aggressive acts, like using a needle to inject carbon dioxide into enemy swimmers. These theories are still speculative.
The Controversy – Ethics and Concerns
The use of dolphins for military purposes has been the subject of intense debate, especially among animal rights activists and environmentalists. Some of the main concerns include:
- Captivity Dolphins are often kept in controlled environments far away from their natural habitats. This can affect their social behaviour and reproductive cycle.
- Health risks and stress: Dolphins used in military programs often face extreme conditions, including hazardous materials. This causes them to experience higher levels of anxiety and stress. They also have a shorter life expectancy than their wild counterparts.
- Vulnerability: Dolphins are vulnerable to being targeted and injured by enemies since they are “soldiers” in the front line.
The U.S. Navy insists on providing marine mammals with top-notch medical care, a balanced diet, and optimal living circumstances despite these concerns. WDCS and other organizations continue to oppose marine mammal use in military operations.
The History of the U.S. Navy Dolphins
In 1960, the U.S. Navy began studying dolphins’ sonar capabilities. The U.S. Navy hoped to use the research to develop better methods for detecting underwater objects and improve the efficiency of navy vessels. The Marine Mammal Program of the Navy was officially established in 1965. Dolphins were then trained to perform specific military tasks.
Tuffy was one of the first dolphins to be trained to dive up to 200 feet and deliver mail, tools, and other items to personnel. In the 1980s the Navy employed a team of more than 100 dolphins to work on military missions, alongside sea lions, belugas and other marine mammals.
In conflicts such as the Vietnam War or the Persian Gulf War, dolphins played a key role. Dolphins were used to patrol naval vessels, detect enemy swimmers and even mark underwater mines. The program was classified until 1992 when it became public knowledge.
During the War on Terrorism and Operation Enduring Freedom, the Navy used dolphins to mark mines and protect ships. The Navy continues to use dolphins for underwater tasks despite concerns over their military role.
The conclusion of the article is:
The story of the military dolphins is an interesting mix of animal training and cutting-edge scientific research. It also involves ethical debate. Animals are intelligent and capable but the ethical implications cannot be overlooked. It’s unclear how the role of military dolphins will change as technology advances, but these amazing creatures certainly are more than just playful swimming animals–they have been proven to be soldiers in depth.