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Go Home Slideshow: Let Slip the Dolphins of War!

POLITICS JANUARY 21, 2012

Slideshow: Let Slip the Dolphins of War!

BY SIMON MEINERS, NICK ROBINS-EARLY, PERRY STEIN, AND ERIC WEN

The prospect of Iran laying mines along the Strait of Hormuz is no laughing matter, but we did have to suppress a giggle when we found out what the U.S. response might involve: Flipper. Deploying dolphins to locate underwater mines (as a retired Navy admiral suggested in an interview last week with NPR) is, we learned, a tried-and-true military strategy. While we’re still waiting for Steven Spielberg to make a dolphin-themed follow-up to War Horse, it did lead us to wonder about what other strange ways animals have been deployed in military contexts.

 

Dolphins

Dolphins are a covert underwater asset for both defense and attack purposes. Echolocation—a faculty of dolphins that makes them adept at locating objects—has been harnessed by the U.S. military for the last 50 years to find sea mines. The United States isn’t the only country in on this: In 2000, Iran purchased dolphins once trained by the Soviet Union to dive-bomb enemy vessels while rigged with explosives.

 

Glow Worms

Glow worms—the larvae of beetles and flies, which glow for mating or protective reasons—were jarred en masse and used in the Great War to provide illumination at night and in shady trenches, allowing soldiers to get some reading done. 

Sea Lions

Dolphins aren't the only aquatic animals to be employed by the Navy: Sea Lions are another integral part of the Marine Mammal Program. During the Iraq War, many (including the 375-pound Zak, pictured above), served on patrol, though PETA protested their deployment, since "they weren't enlisted, [and] they know nothing of Iraq or Saddam Hussein."

 

Rats

In Mozambique, African giant pouch rats are used to sniff out the landmines that scatter the countryside after years of civil war. Belgian NGO APOPO pioneered the idea, stating that the "HeroRats" can fulfill the same purpose as dogs, but at a fraction of the cost.

 

Bears

Wojtek was a Syrian brown bear that served in the Polish Army during World War II. Found as a cub and raised by Polish soldiers, Private Wojtek was officially enlisted in the 22nd Artillery Supply Company. (His name means "happy warrior" in Polish.) While mostly serving to boost morale, his greatest moment of triumph came in 1944 during the Battle of Monte Cassino when he transported shells for Allied forces, before retiring to the Edinburgh Zoo post-war.

Turkeys

During the Spanish Civil War, 1200 Nationalists and allies retreated from attack into a nearby monastery. To provide them with food, compatriots attached supplies to live turkeys; the turkeys were dropped to the isolated soldiers from planes, so that the birds would flap their wings, soften the landing, and provide a good meal.

 

Pigeons

During World War I, warring nations utilized pigeons for reconnaissance missions to take aerial photographs of enemy targets. Pigeons were still in regular use following World War I—the Swiss military finally ended its carrier pigeon program in 1994 and Iranian security forces accused two pigeons they found near a nuclear facility of espionage as recently as 2008.

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9 comments

I believe that's a sealion.

- ironyroad

January 21, 2012 at 2:35am

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A Navy SEALion maybe?

- ironyroad

January 21, 2012 at 2:36am

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They accused the pigeons?

- Nari224

January 21, 2012 at 10:20am

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Oh my God, do not even bring UP "The Day of the Dolphin,"even vaguely like this. Watching that movie with my parents as a child (how's this for placing me in context: in a VW bug, at a drive in movie theater in Long Beach California around 1970) is still the single most traumatic movie experience of my life. I still can't believe those nasty military men blew those poor creatures up (sniff). PS What's with the sea lion? We need a dolphin with a bomb tied to his back...Doh! WA!

- WandreyCer

January 21, 2012 at 9:27pm

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Human evaluation of animal intelligence is changing quite a bit. Elephants are an old standby, of course, and played a big role Hannibal's attempt to overthrow Rome. Other animals rising unexpectedly in our estimation include octopi and crows & ravens. Giant octopi have been a staple in underwater horror movies, but perhaps they might be a use for them as trained war weapons. I can see a human Seal (or other equivalent warrior) being dragged down by a Kraken as he is about to land. As far as crows and ravens, first we could have them watch Alfred Hitchcock's THE BIRDS and go from there.

- skahn

January 21, 2012 at 10:13pm

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Here's an incredible "Nature tooth and claw" video showing warfare among lions, crocodiles and water buffalo. http://www.flex888.com/189/the-most-wild-wild-animals-attach-video-ever-seen.html .

- skahn

January 21, 2012 at 10:13pm

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The only reward is that animals can not blog in TNR. Or I should say regret. Since animals are peaceful in nature and non aggressive. I love dolphins for their intelligence and friendliness. What a contrast with humans. And above all they are honest. Am I boring you TNR humans? By the way Ravens are very smart. And at the end of the day are my favorites for winning the super ball. Although according to the Wall Street Journal, the statistics show to be the least likely to qualify when compared to New England (the favorite), Giants and 49ers. But we shall see. According to Yogi Berra it ain't over until it is over. Which brings us to Newt Gingrich and the possibility, probability to defeat the Jobless President. And folks, this has nothing to do with race. It is the economy, stupid. Obama lovers wake up to reality.

- JAIMECHUCH

January 22, 2012 at 12:20am

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skahn thank you for the video. Those that love animals will reaffirm that animals ar altruistic. These is a fabulous video. Bufalous reorganizing to rescue their young from aggressive lions, and finally chasing them. The young survived. The lions pulled the young bufalo from the cocodrile. Great video for the night when Newt Gingrigh won, and is on hiscway to eventually defeat the Jobless President. Our prayers have been heard, our hopes are high.

- JAIMECHUCH

January 22, 2012 at 12:37am

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This was not warfare. The lions were the aggressors. The buffaloes were the defenders. Hate to compare the lions resembled the Iranian theocrats receiving a blow from the Israelis. Hate to compare but the lions were hungry. The Iranian theocrats are fanatic crazy terrorists.

- JAIMECHUCH

January 22, 2012 at 12:43am

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