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Takoma the dolphin is Awol
timesonline (UK) ^ | 3/29/03 | Daniel McGrory

Posted on 03/29/2003 11:32:25 AM PST by 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.


TOPICS: Extended News; Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: amphibdesgru; dolphins; mineclearing; mines; navy; navydolphin; seals; specialops; takoma; ua; workingdogs
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To: ewing
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!

141 posted on 03/29/2003 8:19:37 PM PST by CheneyChick (Lock & Load)
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To: merrin
He accepted an offer from Chirac to become the Dauphin.
142 posted on 03/29/2003 8:27:21 PM PST by Erasmus
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To: dagnabbit
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...
143 posted on 03/29/2003 10:51:07 PM PST by WoofDog123
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To: WoofDog123; All
Anyone heard if Tacoma has returned yet?
144 posted on 03/30/2003 8:05:04 AM PST by jacquej
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To: jacquej
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.
145 posted on 03/30/2003 10:37:21 AM PST by Calamari
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To: Calamari
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!
146 posted on 03/30/2003 10:47:28 AM PST by jacquej
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To: Calamari; Ramius
"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.

147 posted on 03/30/2003 10:58:44 AM PST by HairOfTheDog (May it be a light for you in dark places, when all other lights go out.)
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To: Rebelbase
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

148 posted on 03/30/2003 11:05:51 AM PST by antaresequity
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To: Rebelbase
Chicken of the Sea?
149 posted on 03/30/2003 11:08:30 AM PST by Kozak
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To: ewing; wirestripper
ROTFL! Another good one!

WS, have you seen this thread?

150 posted on 03/30/2003 11:18:31 AM PST by sweetliberty ("To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it.")
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To: sweetliberty
LOL! Glad to see we still have a sense of humor.

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

151 posted on 03/30/2003 11:25:00 AM PST by Cold Heat (Negotiate!! Blam! "Now who else wants to negotiate?")
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To: Budge; PeaceBeWithYou
Dolphin alert! Tacoma's back!

..


152 posted on 03/30/2003 11:26:19 AM PST by sweetliberty ("To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it.")
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To: HairOfTheDog
Probably got pissed at his handler for some reason. LOL

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

153 posted on 03/30/2003 11:28:10 AM PST by Cold Heat (Negotiate!! Blam! "Now who else wants to negotiate?")
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To: Rebelbase
Or maybe he's busy FReeping the likes of these peaceniks:


154 posted on 03/30/2003 11:48:53 AM PST by P.O.E. (God Bless and keep safe our troops.)
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To: All
Here's a link to the latest thread.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/880068/posts
155 posted on 03/30/2003 12:43:33 PM PST by Canticle_of_Deborah
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To: Rebelbase
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.
156 posted on 03/30/2003 5:54:10 PM PST by Illbay (Don't believe every tagline you read - including this one)
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To: yankeedame
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.
157 posted on 03/30/2003 6:21:03 PM PST by piasa (Attitude adjustments offered here free of charge.)
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To: Rebelbase
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.
158 posted on 03/30/2003 6:42:46 PM PST by TheBattman
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To: Bloody Sam Roberts
Interesting .... that image looks like an AH-64 with no rotor blade on top.
159 posted on 04/03/2003 10:08:39 PM PST by Centurion2000 (We are crushing our enemies, seeing him driven before us and hearing the lamentations of the liberal)
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To: Rebelbase

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.


160 posted on 04/01/2006 7:48:04 AM PST by Pauledwardjennings
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