ACCORDING to Japan's Kyodo news agency, the US navy used 10 dolphins as "minesweepers" in a recent naval exercise off Hawaii. This is part of the navy project to utilise ocean mammals. The dolphins worked along with the US, Australian and Canadian submariners to detect possible enemy mines. The dolphins released signals through a satellite-based global positioning system attached to their backs. The signals were received by the minesweeping vessels.
The US navy has regularly been utilising the services of dolphins, as they have a high degree of intelligence and sonic ability to detect under water objects. Lately, the navy has been forced to utilise the services of the dolphins due to post-war cut backs in defence spending. The officials believe that dolphins are far more efficient than human beings as they can quickly and safely detect mines by covering large areas.
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