Walk Softly – Spies in our Midst

by Geoffrey Carpentier

The idea of animals being spies in our midst is not a new phenomenon. Historically, we used animals for varying purposes, mostly functional, such as beasts of burden, but over time we realized they could be used for other purposes. For example, during WWII, carrier pigeons were used to deliver messages to and from the front lines, to help the Allies. During the Cold War, the CIA developed small cameras which were strapped to homing pigeons. As the birds flew over enemy territory, these cameras took still shots, at regular intervals, and then carried them back to their home base for analysis. In another CIA project, called OXYGAS, dolphins were trained to spot Russian submarines, other ships and mines. Once a suspicious object was spotted, these animals swam to a trainer in a boat for a reward.

As far-fetched as it sounds, it is believed Russia used dolphins to monitor Ukrainian operations, during the recent conflict, and the US definitely used them to monitor activities in Iraqi waters, in 2003. Not all projects were successful, however. In a CIA operation, again during the Cold War, named Operation Acoustic Kitty, a microphone was embedded into a cat, with the intention of it listening in on key conversations. The project failed when the cat ran off and was killed by a taxi! Oops!

Interesting, but are all spy operations human-designed or do animals find their own ways to watch us and learn? The answer must be yes, of course they do! Think about your bird feeders. When you go out to fill them, have you not noticed the birds come almost immediately to see what you’re up to? They recognize both you and the actions you’re taking as a cue to come for dinner. On garbage day, raccoons seem to emerge from the woods, to scrounge in our discarded food wastes. Birds of prey watch other animals both to detect food and avoid being food.

I just returned from an adventure, in South Africa, where we were warned about the clever Chacma Baboons which have learned to open door latches and car doors! They now know, the crinkle of cellophane means food may be nearby and will grab these packages from unwary tourists, in the hope of finding a free meal. Baboons literally sit and watch us, to see what we’re doing, waiting for a moment when our attention lapses.

Bears learned to opportunistically raid garbage cans by watching us place odorous items in them. Once they learned these receptacles can contain food, they regularly come to check them, particularly if they see us making deposits.

I have seen many examples of birds learning our cars and waste bins can be a source of food. I have watched Cattle Egrets (a type of heron), in Florida, immediately come to garbage bins, as waste is being tossed, patiently waiting to see if any flies come to feast on food wastes. Once the flies do arrive (which is often surprisingly fast), these egrets clamour into the bins and grab the tasty flying morsels!

House Sparrows often live at gas stations, in warmer climes, and every time a car arrives, they rush to the grill and start to collect the bug carcasses we have inadvertently killed, as we drove to our destination.

As a biologist, I have noticed predators have learned to watch us as well. In the 1980s, I found my first Eastern Meadowlark nest in Peterborough County. It was a very exciting moment for me, as this is a tricky nest to find. I took a quick peek, to count the chicks, careful to avoid unduly disturbing the nest. I noticed, as I was leaving, a fox sauntering along the track, sniffing and watching. I thought little of it, until the next day, when I rechecked the nest and sadly it was empty. Presumably, the fox had followed my scent, out of curiosity, and found his reward.

Animals are a sneaky lot and learn from us and from others of their own kind, to enhance and adapt their behaviours, to ensure survival.

Geoff Carpentier is a published author, expedition guide and environmental consultant. Visit Geoff on-line, on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.