Spy Tails

Its no surprise that spy agencies like the CIA constantly push technological boundaries, but you may be surprised to learn that these organizations have recruited agents from a wildly unexpected population: the animal kingdom. Spy Tails is the first detailed look into the unsung and untold topic of government programs and research efforts to employ animals in clandestine operations. From birds to dolphins to insects, real and robotic, intelligence analysts Brandon Mohr and Mark Sandel share captivating stories behind once top-secret animal espionage programs.

It might sound like something from a cheesy movie—pigeons secretly taking photos from the sky, dolphins hunting enemy submarines, and cats becoming unwitting listening devices. But in truth, scientists and intelligence agents have explored the unlikely potential of turning wildlife into secret espionage agents for decades. So, why use fauna for fieldwork? Well, as former CIA senior leader Robert Wallace noted, animals have a remarkable ability to reach places humans can’t. Natural skills, like flight, echolocation, and camouflage, offer capabilities that are too difficult, costly, or impossible for people to replicate. Featuring case studies on secret bird missions, dolphin training, why man’s best friend makes for a bad spy, infamous experiments with cats, and the future of animal-inspired robots, this fascinating book also links efforts to important lessons for spies.

Through declassified government documents, scientific research, and archival photographs, alongside textboxes featuring far-fetched tangents from the history of animal spycraft, Spy Tails carefully reconstructs hidden history and recent accounts. Notably, the authors cover ethical issues involved with such missions and provide outlook on how spy agencies might utilize such tactics today and in the future.