The U.S. Navy announced the plans to shut down the program of training dolphins to detect underwater mines and keep enemy swimmers away from warships, U-T San Diego reports.
The program in Point Loma is shuting down because the mammals are no longer needed, and it is expected to be closed within the next five years.
The Navy will continue to care of around 24 bottlenose dolphins which form the part of the Navy Marine Mammal Program.
In recent years mine detection equipment has improved and more Navy ships are replacing older detection equipment with a new one.
[mappress] Subsea World News Staff, November 26, 2012