Navy Calls Up 6 SeaWorld Sea Lion Pups.Animal-Rights Groups Plan Protests .

[MORTARDUDE]

http://www.local6.com/orlpn/news/sto...20-080541.html


NaNavy Calls Up 6 SeaWorld Sea Lion Pups
Animal-Rights Groups Plan Protests
Posted: 9:37 a.m. EDT May 20, 2003
Updated: 10:12 a.m. EDT May 20, 2003

The U.S. Navy has called up six sea lion pups from SeaWorld Orlando to join a group of animals trained to look for enemy intruders and underwater mines, according to a Local 6 News report.



During Operation Iraqi Freedom, sea lions and dolphins were used to help secure ports, including the key port of Umm Qasr.

The sea lion pups are expected to join bottlenose dolphins and other animals trained by the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center in San Diego.

A SeaWorld spokesman reportedly said that the company does not mind selling highly trainable animals to contribute to the nation's security.

However, some animal protection groups are upset about the prospect of SeaWorld selling the pups to the military. They say animal training is cruel and are plan to organzie public protests, Local 6 News reported.

Sea lions are able to perform tasks that human are not physically capable of attempting and they are skilled at spotting divers intruding into areas they patrol.