Marine mammal used in pioneering research back in limelight

Marine mammal used in pioneering research back in limelight

Along the way, studies using Kina, a false killer whale — a dark-gray member of the dolphin family with a big, round beak — led to major discoveries on whale hearing and aided in the development of modern military sonar.

Animal-rights activists say the 13-foot-long, toothy mammal deserves a peaceful retirement but is instead being traumatized as an attraction confined to concrete tanks.

[...] park officials say she won’t take part in any acrobatic shows like other dolphins in their care.

For the next six years, the Navy used Kina for classified research on sonar, the use of sound to communicate, maneuver and detect objects underwater.