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.

[ewing]

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[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Time to call in the 2nd string

Henry's a little busy right now. Same as Takoma.

[ewing]

[HairOfTheDog]

So long, and thanks for all the fish!

(This is a great thread... the rascal)

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[FITZ]

LOL!!

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[sit-rep]

As soon as I heard about dolphins in theater, I wondered how the heck they kept them around.

He'll turn up somewhere... coming to the top and chirping at some humans somewhere else...on a beach or on a boat. The humans will think they found flipper!

[savedbygrace]

“Twenty-four hours is not unusual,” a nervous Petty Officer Whitaker said. “After all, he may meet some local company.”

IOW, Takoma might have gone whoring, huh? I thought dolphins mated for life. Maybe Takoma is single.

[ewing]

[CheneyChick]

Maybe ol' Takoma is hanging out with these guys:

[Starrgaizr]

[sweetliberty]

"Maybe Takoma met a cute dark-eyed arabain bottlenose and forgot all about the war"

Either that or he was kidnapped by PETA.

[Let's Roll]

Yeah, it happened but it was a sea otter not a seal.

[ewing]

LOL! So TG is fighting with the Kurds now?

[dennisw]

Funny!!!!

[CheneyChick]

Who knew....?

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[sweetliberty]

"The Defense Department is downplaying reports that Takoma had been acting aloof and had recently asked to be called by a new name "Mohammad Al-Flipper".

ROTFL!