The Bulletin
By Lauren Sukin | March 16, 2022
Afloat in a gray, inflatable dinghy, US Navy sailors scan the surf, awaiting the return of their crewmember. After a few minutes, a slick gray snout pokes through the water as the mammal whistles hello and pokes a signifier—a ball, bell, or other small object—alerting the team of a suspicious discovery. The trainers then hand over a plastic buoy, and the their colleague—a dolphin—flashes its curved tail before disappearing into the murky water. After the dolphin attaches the buoy to the find, he gobbles silvery fish and revels in the trainers’ congratulatory pats. Behind him, a buoy bobs just above the waves, marking the way for Navy divers as they swim down to retrieve the mine or other danger this oceanic watchdog just sniffed out.