Takoma the dolphin is Awol

Times Online ^ | Mar 29, 2003

[John Jorsett]

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]

Um, this has been posted several times.

[Lucy Lake]

Maybe deceased?

[Paleo Conservative]

Isn't there a later story documenting Takoma's return?

[Taffini]

Why didn't they stick a "chip" into it for tracking?

[John Jorsett]

Isn't there a later story documenting Takoma's return?

I did a quick scan of Google News and didn't see one.

[CheneyChick]

Yup - they found him right where they left him. Probably kind of like when you tell kids if they are lost at the mall to stay in the same place.

CC ;)

[error99]

This story is like s-o-o-o-o-o yesterday, man.
takoma has come back and is quietly sleeping off a hangover.

[John Jorsett]

takoma has come back and is quietly sleeping off a hangover

Where did you see this? I can't find such a story.

[Gatún(CraigIsaMangoTreeLawyer)]

Why didn't they stick a "chip" into it for tracking?

Excellent question. I had been thinking the same thing.

[CheneyChick]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/879370/posts

[Calpernia]

BOLO Alert

Private Takoma Naval Warfare for Treason during active combat.

[new cruelty]

Takoma the dolphin is AWOL

US Navy's 'Flipper' goes AWOL

AWOL

[dandelion]

Okay, so is he going to sleep it off in the brig? I sure hope that his "extended shore leave" was worth it...

[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.

[LizardQueen]

"So long, and thanks for all the fish..."

LQ

[John Jorsett]

Hmmm. I did a search on "AWOL" and the first story that came up was dated the 16th, so I thought I was safe. Now I see that the search results aren't in order of date/time. I don't recall that being the case before. It's going to make searches a pain if we have to look through the entire list each time.

[Lance Romance]

I thought my tuna fish sanwich tasted strange today.

[Paleo Conservative]

'Why didn't they stick a "chip" into it for tracking?'

Excellent question. I had been thinking the same thing.

Maybe we didn't want the enemy to find it.