Have you ever wondered how dolphins could be part of military operations? It might sound like something out of a movie, but dolphins have been helping the U.S. Navy for decades. Let’s dive into how these amazing creatures play a crucial role in keeping naval operations safe.
Not too long ago, a beluga whale named Valdemir made headlines when he was spotted off the coast of Norway. This whale was wearing a harness labeled “Property of Saint Petersburg,” which led many to believe he was trained by the Russian navy. Although Russia denied any connection, Valdemir’s story highlighted the fascinating history of marine mammals in military roles.
Using animals in military operations is not a new idea. Throughout history, animals like pigeons, elephants, and horses have been used in wars. However, it wasn’t until the 20th century that the military started using marine animals for underwater missions.
During the Cold War in the 1960s, the U.S. Navy began exploring the potential of marine mammals. They launched the U.S. Navy Marine Mammal Program, focusing on dolphins and their incredible abilities.
Dolphins are known for their intelligence and trainability. One of their most impressive skills is echolocation, which allows them to “see” with sound. Dolphins emit high-frequency clicks that bounce off objects, helping them identify the size, shape, and material of underwater items.
This ability makes dolphins perfect for locating underwater mines and other objects that could pose a threat to naval ships. In fact, during the Iraq War in 2003, dolphins were deployed to help clear mines, ensuring the safe passage of ships carrying humanitarian aid.
Today, the U.S. Navy has several marine mammal teams trained for specific missions. These teams can be quickly deployed to various parts of the world to assist in military operations. The dolphins work untethered in the open ocean, showcasing their remarkable skills and intelligence.
While some people are concerned about the ethical implications of using animals in military operations, the Navy ensures that their dolphins are well-cared for and enjoy their tasks. The dolphins receive excellent medical care and are considered essential to the safety of naval operations.
If you’re interested in learning more about the intersection of science and military technology, there are many resources available. Platforms like Curiosity Stream and Nebula offer a wide range of educational content, including documentaries and podcasts that delve into these fascinating topics.
By exploring these resources, you can gain a deeper understanding of how science and technology shape our world, including the unique role of dolphins in military operations.
Research the history of marine mammals in military roles, focusing on different species used over time. Create a presentation to share your findings with the class, highlighting key events and the roles these animals played.
Conduct a simple echolocation experiment. Use a blindfold and a set of objects with different shapes and materials. Try to identify them using only sound, similar to how dolphins use echolocation. Discuss your experience and the challenges faced.
Participate in a class debate on the ethical implications of using animals in military operations. Prepare arguments for and against the practice, considering animal welfare and the benefits to human safety.
Design a hypothetical training program for dolphins in the Navy. Outline the skills you would focus on and the methods you would use to train the dolphins. Present your program to the class and explain your choices.
Explore platforms like Curiosity Stream or Nebula to find documentaries or podcasts about the use of animals in military operations. Write a short review of one resource, summarizing what you learned and how it relates to the role of dolphins in the Navy.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
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This video was made possible by Curiosity Stream. Sign up today at curiositystream.com for real science for just $14.79. In this video, I discuss the first episode of the new season of the Show Makers podcast, where Sam from Wendover Productions and Brian from Real Engineering interview me about the origins of this channel and my scientific and creative background.
Last year, a strange sight off the northern coast of Norway captured the world’s attention: a lone beluga whale wearing a harness with the words “Property of Saint Petersburg” printed on it. Belugas are typically found in icy, glacial areas, not along this part of the Norwegian coast, and certainly not alone. This discovery became even more baffling when fishermen noticed that he was tugging on their ropes and was so tame that they could pet him. While a friendly whale is entertaining to most, it alarmed Norwegian officials. Experts believed he had likely been trained to spy for Russia.
Eventually, fishermen were able to cut his harness off, and the whale followed a sailboat to Hammerfest Harbor, where he bonded with the locals and was named Valdemir, a play on the Norwegian word for whale, “val.” An anonymous source reported that he had indeed escaped from a navy program in Murmansk, Russia, but despite the speculation, Russia denied ownership of him, and no one ever claimed him. Valdemir has thus remained free and never faced consequences for defecting.
We may never know exactly what this whale was trained to do or what his exact job title was, but his discovery highlights the long history that marine mammals have had in military operations, both in Russia and the United States. Some find the concept amusing, while others find it troubling. For decades, militaries have trained fleets of dolphins, whales, and sea lions for intricate and sometimes covert operations. Dolphins, in particular, have become the watchdogs for the U.S. Navy, protecting military ships and bases from serious harm and carrying out tasks that no technology can replicate.
Humans have enlisted animals to assist with military operations for centuries. Pigeons have been used to carry messages since around 600 BC, possibly beginning with the Persian King Cyrus. Elephants were first used for war in ancient India around 400 BC, trampling and terrifying enemy soldiers. Horses, camels, and dogs have also been recruited for wartime efforts. However, it wasn’t until the 20th century that militaries began to look to the animal kingdom for help in underwater operations.
In the 1960s, during the Cold War, undersea tactics became increasingly important. The nuclear submarine had just been revolutionized, and the importance of effective sonar was becoming clear. The U.S. was scrambling to stay ahead of the technological competition with the Soviets and began to look for inspiration in unexpected places. Thus, in 1960, the U.S. Navy initiated a new kind of covert operation: the U.S. Navy Marine Mammal Program.
The first research involved hydrodynamic studies on a Pacific white-sided dolphin to improve torpedo performance. The Navy sought to design better underwater missiles and believed dolphins could provide insights into drag reduction systems. They also aimed to study the underwater sonar capabilities of dolphins and whales to learn how to design more efficient methods of detecting objects underwater. Scientists soon realized that these dolphins were not only well-designed but also trainable, adaptable, and extremely intelligent.
A major milestone was the discovery that dolphins could work reliably in the open sea, untethered from their human trainers. In 1965, a Navy dolphin named Tuffy participated in the Sea Lab 2 project, carrying tools and messages between the surface and the habitat 60 meters below. The true potential of the Navy’s dolphins was starting to be realized.
Today, Navy dolphins are primarily trained to locate underwater objects, leveraging their unique sonar capabilities. Echolocation allows dolphins to “see” with sound. After taking a breath, pressure from streams of air bubbles moves up the airway, causing two flaps called the phonic lips to slap together. The clicking vibrations are then transferred to their bulbous forehead, known as the melon, which helps sound propagate. The clicks are organized into a beam as they travel through the melon and are emitted as a series of high-frequency sounds.
Dolphins can identify submerged objects, including size, structure, shape, and material composition. They can distinguish between different metals and even identify whether a target is hollow or solid. This ability is due to the complex structure of the echoes they receive and their extraordinary ability to interpret them.
Within the U.S. military, there are five marine mammal teams, each trained for specific missions. These teams can be deployed at short notice to conflicts around the world. For example, during the Iraq War in 2003, the Navy sent two dolphins to help clear mines in murky waters, allowing ships carrying humanitarian aid to safely navigate.
While some animal advocates claim that the Navy’s use of marine mammals is exploitative, those who work closely with these dolphins see their work as essential to the safety of American citizens. The Navy insists its dolphins are happy and enjoy their tasks, and they receive top-notch medical care.
In the end, the dolphins work untethered in the open ocean, and their service has undoubtedly saved countless lives.
Topics like this, which explore the relationship between militaries and science, are something that both Brian and I at Real Engineering like to cover in our videos. However, certain topics can trigger algorithms that demonetize our content, which is why several top educational content creators have started our own streaming platform called Nebula.
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This version removes any potentially sensitive or controversial content while maintaining the overall message and structure.
Dolphins – Marine mammals known for their intelligence and playful behavior, often found in warm seas. – Dolphins use echolocation to navigate and hunt for food in the ocean.
Navy – A branch of a nation’s armed forces that conducts military operations at sea. – The navy uses advanced technology to conduct underwater missions and protect marine territories.
Marine – Relating to the sea and the organisms that live in it. – Marine biologists study the diverse ecosystems found in the ocean.
Mammals – A class of warm-blooded animals with hair or fur, most of which give birth to live young and produce milk. – Whales and dolphins are examples of marine mammals.
Echolocation – A biological sonar used by some animals, like dolphins and bats, to locate objects by emitting sounds and listening for echoes. – Bats use echolocation to navigate and find insects in the dark.
Intelligence – The ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills, often associated with problem-solving and understanding complex ideas. – Dolphins are known for their high intelligence and ability to learn complex tasks.
Operations – Activities or tasks conducted to achieve a specific purpose, often used in a military or scientific context. – The research team conducted operations to study the impact of pollution on marine life.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs, or the past development of a particular subject. – The history of marine exploration reveals how technology has advanced our understanding of the ocean.
Technology – The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry and research. – Advances in technology have allowed scientists to explore the deepest parts of the ocean.
Underwater – Located, occurring, or done beneath the surface of the water. – Underwater cameras are used to capture images of marine life in their natural habitat.
