Navy Sea Mammals to Show Skill in Bay

Dolphins and sea lions are the marine mammals that are used by the Navy to track mines or waterborne saboteurs. To some people this might sound like a part from a James Bond movie, right? Wrong this has been going on for 40 years.

The Navy showcased this on Monday as a part of a statewide exercise simulating a port terrorist attack. Federal officials have looked back and have seen that these trained marine mammals have been used exclusively for military operations. Many trainers also developed relationships with these special animals.

Dolphins were in Vietnam and no mine ever exploded because of them. Fred Jolly manages a team of animal handlers from the Navy Marine Mammal Program that has come to San Francisco.

What Happened To The Sea Lions?

In San Francisco, at Pier 39, the well known sea lions are missing and there are not many left. Now you are lucky if you see one of them, and about a month ago, there was more than a thousand of them on the pier's floating platforms. So, what has happened to the sea lions?

The sea lions move up and down the coast a couple of times every year, but now they all are moving in great numbers at once. Some specialists think that they are following their food and instinct. Since they are following their food and instinct, there is no reason to panic.

Also the Marine Mammal Center is always on the lookout to find injured seals who need help. Once they get the seal all better, they will release it to the sea. If you are 14 years or older, you can volunteer at the Marine Mammal Center.