Let the dog in!

I just read an article in the Kitsap Sun about the Navy seeking to use dolphins and sea lions to patrol the 4 mile coastline around the naval base in Bangor. After I quit laughing, I realized this was serious. The marine mammals would work with a trainer in a boat and be sent out from the boat to patrol the water, returning if they find an intruder and giving special signals. I am not sure how I feel about this.

Would a sea lion even come back from the ocean when called? Has anyone tried this with them? I have worked in marine mammal rescues, and sea lions are big, agile and dodgy. While dolphins have that human-friend reputation, sea lions don’t. They are curious, fast and have really sharp teeth. They don’t seem the most trustworthy of marine mammals. They might be the Bahamas immigration officer of the sea world. A little food or sex, and they look the other way.

I am surprised that either of these mammals would return if released in the wild. Are we underestimating their intelligence by assuming a willingness to serve us?

And if they really can do a great job patrolling, how about applying them for Homeland Security Director and get rid of that Chertoff guy?

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