From the Open-Publishing Calendar
From the Open-Publishing Newswire
Indybay Feature
American Military Dolphin Defects!
THE US Marines have suffered an embarrassment with reports last night that one of their most prized investigators may have defected.
Takoma, the Atlantic bottle-nosed dolphin, had been in Iraq for 48 hours when he went missing on his first operation to snoop out mines.
Takoma, the Atlantic bottle-nosed dolphin, had been in Iraq for 48 hours when he went missing on his first operation to snoop out mines.
Takoma the dolphin is Awol
From Daniel McGrory in Umm Qasr
THE US Marines have suffered an embarrassment with reports last night that one of their most prized investigators may have defected.
Takoma, the Atlantic bottle-nosed dolphin, had been in Iraq for 48 hours when he went missing on his first operation to snoop out mines.
His handler, Petty Officer Taylor Whitaker, had proudly showed off Takoma’s skills and told how the 22-year-old dolphin was among the most pampered creatures in the American military.
Takoma and his fellow mine hunters have a special diet, regular medical checks and their own sleeping quarters, which is more than can be said for the vast majority of the military whose domestic arrangements are basic, to say the least.
The wayward Takoma set out on the first mission with his comrade, Makai, watched by the cameras as the pair of dolphins somersaulted over the inflatable dinghy carrying their handlers.
Takoma’s role was to sweep the way clear for the arrival of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, Sir Galahad. US officials had said that dolphins, first used in Vietnam, were a far better bet than all the technology on board the flotilla of ships.
Petty Officer Whitaker had tempted fate by saying: “Why would they go missing when they have the best food and daily spruce-ups and health checks?” Two hours later Takoma had gone Awol. “Twenty-four hours is not unusual,” a nervous Petty Officer Whitaker said. “After all, he may meet some local company.”
Takoma has now been missing for 48 hours and the solitary figure of Petty Officer Whitaker could be seen yesterday patting the water, calling his name and offering his favourite fish, but there was no response.
From Daniel McGrory in Umm Qasr
THE US Marines have suffered an embarrassment with reports last night that one of their most prized investigators may have defected.
Takoma, the Atlantic bottle-nosed dolphin, had been in Iraq for 48 hours when he went missing on his first operation to snoop out mines.
His handler, Petty Officer Taylor Whitaker, had proudly showed off Takoma’s skills and told how the 22-year-old dolphin was among the most pampered creatures in the American military.
Takoma and his fellow mine hunters have a special diet, regular medical checks and their own sleeping quarters, which is more than can be said for the vast majority of the military whose domestic arrangements are basic, to say the least.
The wayward Takoma set out on the first mission with his comrade, Makai, watched by the cameras as the pair of dolphins somersaulted over the inflatable dinghy carrying their handlers.
Takoma’s role was to sweep the way clear for the arrival of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, Sir Galahad. US officials had said that dolphins, first used in Vietnam, were a far better bet than all the technology on board the flotilla of ships.
Petty Officer Whitaker had tempted fate by saying: “Why would they go missing when they have the best food and daily spruce-ups and health checks?” Two hours later Takoma had gone Awol. “Twenty-four hours is not unusual,” a nervous Petty Officer Whitaker said. “After all, he may meet some local company.”
Takoma has now been missing for 48 hours and the solitary figure of Petty Officer Whitaker could be seen yesterday patting the water, calling his name and offering his favourite fish, but there was no response.
For more information:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,59...
Add Your Comments
Comments
(Hide Comments)
"clear the way?" so basically the dolphins were there on forced suicide missions? fuck that! i'd be out of there too if I were him.
Maybe the dolphin was taken prisoner by local Iraqi dolphins and the Pentagon is covering it up. Or the Fedayeen troop of dolphins may be responsible for this senseless act of treachery. So is the dolphin officially considered MIA or AWOL. And has his family been notified yet?
Maybe the dolphin was taken prisoner by local Iraqi dolphins and the Pentagon is covering it up. Or the Fedayeen troop of dolphins may be responsible for this senseless act of treachery. So is the dolphin officially considered MIA or AWOL? And has his family been notified yet?
Maybe the dolphin was taken prisoner by local Iraqi dolphins and the Pentagon is covering it up. Or the Fedayeen troop of dolphins may be responsible for this senseless act of treachery. So is the dolphin officially considered MIA or AWOL? And has his family been notified yet?
The dolphins do not set off the mine for various reasons, such as that they are not made of metal.
When they see a mine they drop a beacon they are carrying.
Tim
When they see a mine they drop a beacon they are carrying.
Tim
They should of known that Takoma was trained by repetition and after doing THEIR job repeatedly he used his animal instincts and got away from danger. The image of a grown man slapping the water in hopes that FLIPPER will return is comical, SWIM, TAKOMA, SWIM
i think its so unfair to the dolphins would you like it if you had 2 do it i would have swam away also.
We are 100% volunteer and depend on your participation to sustain our efforts!
Get Involved
If you'd like to help with maintaining or developing the website, contact us.
Publish
Publish your stories and upcoming events on Indybay.
Topics
More
Search Indybay's Archives
Advanced Search
►
▼
IMC Network