News of the Weird: Commando dolphins missing

I heard about these military trained dolphins this morning on the radio news.

I found an article from The Guardian (UK)


It may be the oddest tale to emerge from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Armed dolphins, trained by the US military to shoot terrorists and pinpoint spies underwater, may be missing in the Gulf of Mexico.

Experts who have studied the US navy's cetacean training exercises claim the 36 mammals could be carrying 'toxic dart' guns. Divers and surfers risk attack, they claim, from a species considered to be among the planet's smartest. The US navy admits it has been training dolphins for military purposes, but has refused to confirm that any are missing. ....

The US Atlantic bottlenose dolphins have apparently been taught to shoot terrorists attacking military vessels. Their coastal compound was breached during the storm, sweeping them out to sea. But those who have studied the controversial use of dolphins in the US defence programme claim it is vital they are caught quickly. ...."

Dolphins are incredibly intelligent and lovely creatures...but still, how would you teach them to "shoot"?!?! Of course, who's the crazy person who thought this up in the first place? They probably were glad to escape so they wouldn't have to hurt any huans! : > Go little dolphins, go!


"Usually dolphins were controlled via signals transmitted through a neck harness. 'The question is, were these dolphins made secure before Katrina struck?' said Sheridan."

Well that explains how they can shoot, maybe. Humans are so weird!