By Shriya Trilok, Contributing Writer
Editor’s Note: In my Animals in Society, Culture, and Literature class, we spent the semester researching a species that has personal value to us. I chose dolphins. A big part of the species project is a controversy section, and this is an op-ed based on my controversy section.
Biologically, humans are animals, so there is nothing that clearly separates humans from having the right to control or use other animals for their benefit. Yet today, dolphins are still used in military operations. According to the U.S Navy, dolphins are natural hunters; they only change the target dolphins they are hunting for. They have been trained for tasks such as detecting underwater mines, recovering objects and personnel, and assisting in general harbor defense.
Some may argue that dolphins like their job and enjoy working, but there is no way to know for sure. These intelligent animals are rewarded through training; however, continuous action for reward is never the same as informed consent. Instead, it is created through obedience, not based on genuine choice. Dolphins have no direct communication with humans, no way to express consent or refusal, and no understanding of the full context of the roles they are placed in. When humans voluntarily sign up for the military, they accept the risks and responsibilities of service. Dolphins, however, are forced into these roles.
When dolphins work in the military, they are taken out of their natural habitat and separated from social structures and interaction. This social disruption can be linked to significant stress, and studies on captive cetaceans support these concerns. Dolphins can suffer through a variety of effects: mental stress, seen through aggression, self-harm, skin and digestive issues, systemic illness, and an overall reduced lifespan. While military dolphins may receive some stimulation through their tasks and daily operations, removing them from their natural environment and social structures raises concerns about consequences, including those listed above.
Dolphins’ intelligence should not be a justification for their exploitation, especially when humans have access to advanced technology, specifically in underwater technology. The market for subsea robotics is expected to reach over seven billion dollars in 2025, showing that alternatives already exist. Leaders at the Navy’s Marine Mammal Program have stated they want to replace the animals when the technology becomes available. This would require trained professionals and a large amount of money to not only pay for professionals but to support the purchase of equipment that could be used in the ocean. Rescue centers would need to be established for dolphins currently in captivity, as they would not be able to return to their normal lives. An animal’s intelligence should never lead to exploitation, especially on the grounds of false moral justification by humans.
