Dolphins, sea lions to protect US Navy sub base
The US Navy says dolphins and sea lions will be used to protect a Washington state submarine base from underwater swimmers.
Bremerton, Washington
The Navy says dolphins and sea lions will stand guard this year at a Washington state submarine base to detect any underwater swimmers who might approach the base on Hood Canal.
The Navy is keeping security details secret, but the environmental impact statement for the project said there would be fewer than 20 animals kept in heated enclosures when not on patrol.
Marine mammals have been used as guards for years at another Trident submarine base at King's Bay, Ga.
Navy spokesman Tom LaPuzza in San Diego told the Kitsap Sun in a story Wednesday that Atlantic bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions are ready to go on patrol at Bangor.
The dolphins can find an intruder and release a beacon. Sea lions can attach a cuff to a swimmer's leg.
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