Dolphin training, Navy Marine Mammal Program, San Diego, USA. A bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) lying on a mat. The dolphin has just beached itself by launching out of the water and onto the mat. Self- beaching is useful when transporting dolphins to and from areas where they must work. US Navy dolphins are also trained to detect underwater mines, deliver equipment to divers, locate lost objects and guard against intruders. Dolphins are highly intelligent animals and proficient swimmers, able to use echolocation to sense their surroundings. The NMMP also trains California sea lions, killer whales and beluga whales.