Navy approves plan to use dolphins at Bangor
BANGOR, Wash. -- Trident nuclear subs at Bangor have a new ally in the war on terror. Highly-trained marine mammals will soon patrol the waters to protect Naval Base Kitsap from saboteurs.
"It's all based on prior terrorist attacks, and it would provide waterside security capabilities to counter any threats from any kind of intruders on the waterfront," said Navy spokeswoman Sheila Murray.
If a sea lion or dolphin spots an intruder, it returns to its handlers, who hand over a clamp. The animal then swims up and hooks a line to the enemy so security officers can reel them in.
The Navy's plan has animal rights groups angry.
"PAWS believes that wild animals should not be held permanently in captivity," said Mary Leake Schilder with PAWS.
She says dolphins and sea lions suffer from permanent captivity, no matter how well holding pens are designed. The group says remote-control rovers could do the job just as well.
"We have the brains and the resources to explore high-tech solutions," Schilder said.
Others have protested in the past, including the group Knitting for Dolphins. Members say the chilly Puget Sound waters are unsafe for East Coast bottlenose dolphins, which is what will be on patrol here.
Murray told the Kitsap Sun last January the problem was cold air, not cold water, and that the Navy's plans would negate that. The dolphins would only be on duty for two hours at a time and otherwise be in heated enclosures.
"Using marine mammals isn't any different than using police dogs," she said.
But Schilder still has concerns.
"Definitely this is a dangerous situation for those animals that could bring harm to them."
By next year, about 20 dolphins and sea lions will be in place and on patrol at Kitsap Bangor.
For more information, go to Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor's Web site.
"It's all based on prior terrorist attacks, and it would provide waterside security capabilities to counter any threats from any kind of intruders on the waterfront," said Navy spokeswoman Sheila Murray.
If a sea lion or dolphin spots an intruder, it returns to its handlers, who hand over a clamp. The animal then swims up and hooks a line to the enemy so security officers can reel them in.
The Navy's plan has animal rights groups angry.
"PAWS believes that wild animals should not be held permanently in captivity," said Mary Leake Schilder with PAWS.
She says dolphins and sea lions suffer from permanent captivity, no matter how well holding pens are designed. The group says remote-control rovers could do the job just as well.
"We have the brains and the resources to explore high-tech solutions," Schilder said.
Others have protested in the past, including the group Knitting for Dolphins. Members say the chilly Puget Sound waters are unsafe for East Coast bottlenose dolphins, which is what will be on patrol here.
Murray told the Kitsap Sun last January the problem was cold air, not cold water, and that the Navy's plans would negate that. The dolphins would only be on duty for two hours at a time and otherwise be in heated enclosures.
"Using marine mammals isn't any different than using police dogs," she said.
But Schilder still has concerns.
"Definitely this is a dangerous situation for those animals that could bring harm to them."
By next year, about 20 dolphins and sea lions will be in place and on patrol at Kitsap Bangor.
For more information, go to Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor's Web site.