Sadly, as is often our wont, humanity has used the intelligence of dolphins for its own deadly benefit. Much like dogs, dolphins have been used in warfare for a variety of different purposes. Let’s take a look at how these battling bottlenecks and combat-ready Chilean dolphins have been used as weapons on the field (metaphorically speaking) of battle.

Animals have had notable roles in warfare throughout human history. As reported by The History Herald, Carthaginian general Hannibal Barca did not employ his iconic war elephants in battle as often as believed. Nevertheless, they were formidable foes, the likes of which opponents in the ancient world had never seen before. Fast-forward to World War I, and animals ranging from carrier pigeons to supply-carrying horses were involved in the war effort. According to the RSPCA, 2.5 million animals were treated by the British Army Veterinary Corps during the conflict. Meanwhile, dolphins’ role in warfare began more recently.

Slate says that 1960 saw the beginning of U.S. research into new kinds of missiles. Such weapons were to be inspired by the effortless agility of marine life. This work culminated in the creation of the Navy Marine Mammal Training Program, housed in California’s Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command. Business Insider reports that 50 sea lions and 85 bottlenose dolphins were being trained here in 2015 and that they had a wide range of applications, from locating hostile forces to marking the presence of deadly mines.

The role dolphins serve

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