How are animals moved to and from remote deployment sites?
Over short distances, animals are trained to either swim alongside a small boat or to ride in the boat itself. For long distance trips, animals can be transported by sea in large naval vessels or by air in planes or helicopters. For these trips, sea lions ride in specially designed enclosures and are kept cool, wet, and comfortable. Dolphins are placed in fleece-lined stretchers that are suspended in fiberglass containers filled with enough water to comfortably support the weight of the animal. On these long transports, a veterinarian oversees the comfort and health care of all the animals while each animal is constantly monitored by an experienced trainer or handler. Upon arrival at their destinations, animals are housed in temporary facilities that are much like those in San Diego. In addition, a portable veterinary clinic accompanies the animals to provide veterinarians with everything they need to care for the health of the animals.
