Military dolphin
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A military dolphin is a dolphin trained for military uses. The United States and Russian militaries have trained
and employed oceanic dolphins for several reasons. Such military dolphins have been trained to rescue lost naval
swimmers or to locate underwater mines.
and employed oceanic dolphins for several reasons. Such military dolphins have been trained to rescue lost naval
swimmers or to locate underwater mines.
The U.S. Navy trains dolphins and sea lions under the U.S. Navy Marine Mammal Program, which is based in
San Diego, California. They get some of their dolphins from the Gulf of Mexico. Military dolphins were used by the
U.S. Navy during the First and Second Gulf Wars.[1] About 75 dolphins are in the program.[2]
San Diego, California. They get some of their dolphins from the Gulf of Mexico. Military dolphins were used by the
U.S. Navy during the First and Second Gulf Wars.[1] About 75 dolphins are in the program.[2]
The Soviet Navy operated a research facility 44.5800°N 33.4023°E to explore military uses of marine mammals at
Kazachya Bukhta, near Sevastopol. The Russian military is believed to have closed its marine mammal program in
the early 1990s. In 2000, the press reported that dolphins trained to kill by the Soviet Navy had been sold to Iran.[3]
Kazachya Bukhta, near Sevastopol. The Russian military is believed to have closed its marine mammal program in
the early 1990s. In 2000, the press reported that dolphins trained to kill by the Soviet Navy had been sold to Iran.[3]
Due to the secrecy of such practice, rumors of military dolphins include training them to lay underwater mines, to
locate enemy combatants, or to seek and destroy submarines using kamikaze methods.[4] There has even been
speculation about the potential development of sophisticated equipment, such as poison darts, sonar jamming
devices, and so on for dolphins, and about combat between cetaceans of both superpowers. The U.S. Navy denies
ever having trained its marine mammals to harm or injure humans in any fashion or to carry weapons to destroy
ships.[5]
locate enemy combatants, or to seek and destroy submarines using kamikaze methods.[4] There has even been
speculation about the potential development of sophisticated equipment, such as poison darts, sonar jamming
devices, and so on for dolphins, and about combat between cetaceans of both superpowers. The U.S. Navy denies
ever having trained its marine mammals to harm or injure humans in any fashion or to carry weapons to destroy
ships.[5]
In 2005, there were press reports that some U.S. military dolphins based on Lake Pontchartrain had escaped
during the Hurricane Katrina flooding.[6] The U.S. Navy dismissed these stories as nonsense or a hoax, though
they may be taking on the status of an urban myth.[7]
during the Hurricane Katrina flooding.[6] The U.S. Navy dismissed these stories as nonsense or a hoax, though
they may be taking on the status of an urban myth.[7]
named KDog, wearing a locating pinger,
performed mine clearance work in
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United States Navy dolphins
The United States Navy implemented a program in 1960 to work with dolphins and sea lions in order to help withdefense, mine detection, and design of new submarines and new underwater weapons. The Navy did many tests
with several marine mammals to determine which would be best for the jobs they needed done. "More than 19
species were tested, including some sharks and birds." Eventually, the bottlenose dolphin and California sea lion
were shown to be the best at what the Navy needed them for. The bottlenose dolphins' asset was their highly
evolved biosonar, helping to find underwater mines, and the sea lions' asset was their impeccable underwater
vision, which can help to detect enemy swimmers. In fiscal year 2007, the United States Navy spent $14 million
on research on marine mammals as weapons and marine mammal training programs in object recovery and mine
detection[citation needed].
Care of animals[edit]
The marine mammals used for the Navy's research and operations are taken care of with a full-time staff of
veterinarians, veterinarian technicians, and highly trained marine biologists.[8] The doctors and staff are on call
around the clock so that the animals get the care that they need. Their focus is to keep the dolphins and sea lions
healthy and fit for duty with routine physicals, nutrition oversight, and extensive data collection and management.
veterinarians, veterinarian technicians, and highly trained marine biologists.[8] The doctors and staff are on call
around the clock so that the animals get the care that they need. Their focus is to keep the dolphins and sea lions
healthy and fit for duty with routine physicals, nutrition oversight, and extensive data collection and management.
Training[edit]
The dolphins and sea lions are trained by five teams of the Navy's Marine Mammal fleet members. One team
specializes in swimmer detection, three teams in mine location, and another team in object recoveries.
The quick-response goal of this fleet is to mobilize a team and be on site within 72 hours. Dolphins are trained
much as police dogs and hunting dogs are. They are given rewards such as fish on correct completion of a task.
Dolphins are trained to detect underwater mines and enemy swimmers and then report back to their handlers.[4]
specializes in swimmer detection, three teams in mine location, and another team in object recoveries.
The quick-response goal of this fleet is to mobilize a team and be on site within 72 hours. Dolphins are trained
much as police dogs and hunting dogs are. They are given rewards such as fish on correct completion of a task.
Dolphins are trained to detect underwater mines and enemy swimmers and then report back to their handlers.[4]
Retired US Admiral Tim Keating claimed that military dolphins could be used to detect mines in the
Strait of Hormuz, after Iran threatened to close the waterway in January 2012.[9]
Strait of Hormuz, after Iran threatened to close the waterway in January 2012.[9]
Por Tiago, fonte: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_dolphin