WTH! US Trains Dolphins to Hunt for Mines???

[GTaudiophile]

MSNBC PIC

Caption:
K-Dog, a bottle-nose dolphin belonging to Commander Task Unit trains with Sgt. Andrew Garrett in the Arabian Gulf. These units are working to ensure shipping lanes are clear of mines for humanitarian relief.

 

[prontospyder]

very cool pic. those dolphins are pretty smart. 🙂

 

[human2k]

They should teach them to jump into batter, then into the deep fryer. Then for the final trick, served with tator sauce!

 

[DaiShan]

Yeah Ive read about this, however it appears that while they are smart enough to be able to do this, they are also smart enough to value their freedom, many escape, or simply die. I think they are a valuable resource, but I would hate to needlessly exploit such a noble creature, and as such make life unlivable for them.

 

[Queasy]

Special Ops has used trained dolphins for missions like these for 30 years.

 

[Cfour]

sw33t!

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: DaiShan
Yeah Ive read about this, however it appears that while they are smart enough to be able to do this, they are also smart enough to value their freedom, many escape, or simply die. I think they are a valuable resource, but I would hate to needlessly exploit such a noble creature, and as such make life unlivable for them.

My guess is these dolphins are "smart" enough with their sonar to avoid the mines.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Originally posted by: Queasy
Special Ops has used trained dolphins for missions like these for 30 years.

Yep, they actually made a cheesey movie in the 70's called day of the dolphin IIRC with George C. Scott about it.

 

[rudeguy]

they actually are starting to use seals...not S.E.A.L.S. but real ones...apparently they do better than the dolphins...heard thats what they are using to clear that port over in Iraq

 

[AlienCraft]

Originally posted by: Queasy
Special Ops has used trained dolphins for missions like these for 30 years.

Since very few people here are over 30, I'm not surprised that they would not have heard of this.

 

[Electric Amish]

Originally posted by: AlienCraft

Originally posted by: Queasy
Special Ops has used trained dolphins for missions like these for 30 years.

Since very few people here are over 30, I'm not surprised that they would not have heard of this.

I knew it. I've known for a long time... 🙂

amish

 

[m2kewl]

yeah, that is pretty cool. 🙂


on a different note, if they had "sharks with friggin lasers" on their heads...😛

 

[BeauJangles]

I think the sealions are cooler 😀