Dolphins on Duty

The Navy program started in 1959. In the early years, the Navy tested out more than a dozen animals, including sharks, sea turtles, and birds. Today just two species are used: bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions.

“The Navy’s dolphins and sea lions perform missions that the Navy cannot yet accomplish in any other way,” says Mark Xitco. He’s the director of the program.

Both animals are very smart and easy to train. And both can quickly adapt to different environments, like shallow waters or deep seas.

But there are more dolphins in the program because they use echolocation. That means they use sound to “see” underwater!

The Navy program started in 1959. The Navy tested out more than a dozen animals in the early years. These included sharks, sea turtles, and birds. Today the Navy uses bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions.

“The Navy’s dolphins and sea lions perform missions that the Navy cannot yet accomplish in any other way,” says Mark Xitco. He’s the director of the program.

Both animals are very smart and easy to train. And both can quickly adapt to different environments. These include shallow waters and deep seas.

But there are more dolphins in the program because they use echolocation. That means they use sound to “see” underwater!

Dolphins begin training at Naval Base Point Loma in San Diego, California, when they’re a few years old. Handlers show them how to look for and mark the locations of underwater explosives called mines. Mines could hurt or kill people on military ships. And they can be difficult for humans to detect. 

But it’s no problem for dolphins. Using echolocation, the animals can easily “see” through dark, muddy waters. Plus, they can dive hundreds of feet below the surface, much farther than humans can. Trainers also teach dolphins to identify enemy swimmers.

“The animals are natural hunters,” says Xitco. “We just change what they learn to hunt for.”

Navy dolphins live at the Naval Base Point Loma in San Diego, California. They begin training when they’re a few years old. Handlers show them how to look for underwater explosives called mines. The dolphins can then mark the mines’ location. Mines could hurt or kill people on military ships. And mines can be difficult for humans to detect.

But it’s no problem for dolphins. The animals can easily see through dark, muddy waters using echolocation. Plus, they can dive hundreds of feet below the surface. That’s much farther than humans can dive. Trainers also teach dolphins to identify enemy swimmers.

“The animals are natural hunters,” says Xitco. “We just change what they learn to hunt for.”

In the past 40 years, Navytrained animals have traveled to the coasts of more than a dozen countries on official missions. When they aren’t on a mission, the dolphins help with security at Navy bases around the world and prepare for future jobs.

“They will be ready if they are needed,” says Xitco. “Navy dolphins and sea lions are always on duty.”

In the past 40 years, Navy-trained animals have traveled a lot. They’ve been to the coasts of more than a dozen countries on official missions. But the dolphins keep busy even when they aren’t on a mission. They help with security at Navy bases around the world. Or they prepare for future jobs.

“They will be ready if they are needed,” says Xitco. “Navy dolphins and sea lions are always on duty.”