Dolphins and sea lions are usually seen either in the wilderness, an aquarium, a zoo or even a shopping mall such as the West Edmonton Mall in Canada. They are very popular as entertainers or for the ecotourism industry. But did you know that they are also amongst or best allies to ensure your safety against terrorism?

Well, the U.S. Navy has been using their abilities to swim and see in murky waters easily as a defence strategy. You see, the San Diego Naval base has been training dolphins and sea lions in several occasions to ensure the safety of either their soldiers or Americans.

Both marine mammals are able to see mines and swimmers in murky waters, which allow them to drop a light near mines. This way, mines can be avoided or even safely removed by the U.S. Navy. A good example of this was when they were used in 2003 in the Iraqi harbor of Umm Qasr when they located underwater mines. The soldiers were able to use a safe path shown by the dolphins to reach the land without problems.

During the Vietnam War, dolphins were used to protect a pier. Dolphins and sea lions have been used since the late 1950’s. During the Cold War, they had as many as 140 marine mammals at their service.

In 1996, they were used to patrol the San Diego during the Republican National Convention as swimmers were a threat as they may try to plant bombs. During their patrolling, both sea lions and dolphins carry a light in their mouth and drop it near a mine but sea lions also carry a handcuff-like device that can be hooked on a swimmer a.k.a. terrorist and is linked to a cable that allows soldiers to real the culprit in.

In the 1990’s the program was gradually used less as the U.S. Navy expected the technology to take over. Realizing that technology has not been able to fill the responsibilities met by dolphins and sea lions, the program is not expected to be dropped until 2012.

Animal right activists are concerned that the cold water of certain regions may be affecting dolphins in the form of diseases, which could also be transmitted to the local pods of killer whales. The military veterinarian, who is responsible for the marine mammals health has confirmed that dolphins’ health is closely monitored in order to avoid such problems.

The training program for dolphins and sea lions used in this Defence strategy is based at Naval Base Point Loma in the San Diego Harbor where 75 dolphins and 25 sea lions are currently being trained.

The San Diego Naval Base briefly opened its doors on April 12, 2007; following the announcement of their plan to send 30 dolphins to patrol the waters of Washington State’s Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, which is also home nuclear submarines, ships and laboratories.

As you can see, marine mammals such as dolphins, are not only natural curious and friendly towards humans, they can range from entertaining us in both natural and man-made environments as well as protects lives. We can be thankful to have them in our lives for more than one reason, which is why were should be protecting them as well as they protect us.