Takoma the dolphin is Awol

timesonline (UK) ^ | 3/29/03 | Daniel McGrory

[Rebelbase]

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.

[CheneyChick]

ewing, you are such a nut! I hope the Navy guys that take care of Takoma get a chance to see this thread.... Takoma is a new FR Hero and Legend!

Cheers, CC :)

P.S. Hope he comes "home" soon!

[Erasmus]

He accepted an offer from Chirac to become the Dauphin.

[WoofDog123]

This is hysterical. Most of the Internet people I know will be reading this. Al-Flipper will become a household name! Any royalties will be passed on...

[jacquej]

Anyone heard if Tacoma has returned yet?

[Calamari]

http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,6213096%255E25777,00.html

From "news.com.au"
The handlers of the five dolphins at work in the Iraqi port of Umm Qasr confirmed yesterday that one of their charges, a male named Tacoma, did disappear when put in the water to go to work.

"Two days later we found him in the same spot where we put him in the water," said Lieutenant Robert Greene, the officer in charge of the M-7 series of mine-clearing dolphins.

Tacoma was yesterday resting in his holding pool with the Navy's oldest dolphin, 33-year-old Makay.

[jacquej]

Oh, thank goodness. My heart was aching for his trainer. I just knew he felt like I would feel if one of my beloved Belgian Malinios went missing.

I am so glad Tacoma is back, safe and sound!

[HairOfTheDog]

"Two days later we found him in the same spot where we put him in the water," said Lieutenant Robert Greene, the officer in charge of the M-7 series of mine-clearing dolphins.

Tacoma was yesterday resting [nursing a hangover] in his holding pool with the Navy's oldest dolphin, 33-year-old Makay.

Glad he is back safe.

[antaresequity]

I fell for that one too, when I first heard it, but alas, as are most of the good stories, its an Urban Legend.

In Marin County California, the Marin Marine Mammal Research Center routinely cares for and releases sick and dying seals and sea lions.

About 1.5 years ago they released several seals around the corner from their Fort Cronkite facility at Tennessee Cove. The seals were attacked and some killed by two large Great White sharks.

I rented a room to an employee of the MMMRC...this is no urban legend.

It ran as a front page story in the Marin Indepenedent Journal...It was a celebratory release with many donors and supporters present.

Lifes a Beach...then you die

[Kozak]

Chicken of the Sea?

[sweetliberty]

ROTFL! Another good one!

WS, have you seen this thread?

[Cold Heat]

LOL! Glad to see we still have a sense of humor.

This is one of the things that set us apart from the rats.

[sweetliberty]

Dolphin alert! Tacoma's back!

..

[Cold Heat]

Probably got pissed at his handler for some reason. LOL

Animals do retaliate and show their anger. Probably was the change of location.

[P.O.E.]

Or maybe he's busy FReeping the likes of these peaceniks:

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

Here's a link to the latest thread.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/880068/posts

[Illbay]

PETA must have gotten to them.

Expect a PETA news conference where Takoma will announce through PETA interpreters that he is tired of being exploited by the military-industrial complex.

[piasa]

The SP's brought him back safe and sound, if a bit moggy-eyed. But they didn't return him before he had obtained a mermaid tattoo on his right flipper. His handler found an incriminating blonde scale on Takoma's uniform. Somewhat later, Takoma checked in with the Doc to get treatment for an embarassing case of the crabs.

[TheBattman]

Fark.com doesn't make any of the stuff on their site, they just link to all sorts of crazy stuff on the net....including lots of photoshoped pictures.

[Centurion2000]

Interesting .... that image looks like an AH-64 with no rotor blade on top.

[Pauledwardjennings]

Urban Legend my ass. It was broadcasted on the TV. They were two seals from the Exxon spill. 1.3 million dollars were spent to clean and rehabilitate the seals. The were let released and both were killed by an Orca. Next time try and research alittle so you don't look stupid. I watched the video of the release.