Dolphin rescues stranded whales

**ExoByte** · 03-13-2008 01:20 AM

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapc....ap/index.html

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) -- A dolphin swam up to two distressed whales that appeared headed for death in a beach stranding in New Zealand and guided them to safety, witnesses said Wednesday.

The actions of the bottlenose dolphin -- named Moko by residents who said it spends much of its time swimming playfully with humans at the beach -- amazed would-be rescuers and an expert who said they were evidence of the species' friendly nature.

The two pygmy sperm whales, a mother and her calf, were found stranded on Mahia Beach, about 500 kilometers (300 miles) northeast of the capital of Wellington, on Monday morning, said Conservation Department worker Malcolm Smith.

Rescuers worked for more than one hour to get the whales back into the water, only to see them strand themselves four times on a sandbar slightly out to sea. It looked likely the whales would have to be euthanized to prevent them suffering a prolonged death, Smith said.

"They kept getting disorientated and stranding again," said Smith, who was among the rescuers. "They obviously couldn't find their way back past (the sandbar) to the sea."

Along came Moko, who approached the whales and led them 200 meters (yards) along the beach and through a channel out to the open sea.

Watch how dolphin became a hero »

"Moko just came flying through the water and pushed in between us and the whales," Juanita Symes, another rescuer, told The Associated Press. "She got them to head toward the hill, where the channel is. It was an amazing experience. The best day of my life."

Anton van Helden, a marine mammals expert at New Zealand's national museum, Te Papa Tongarewa, said the reports of Moko's rescue were "fantastic" but believable because the dolphins have "a great capacity for altruistic activities."

These included evidence of dolphins protecting people lost at sea, and their playfulness with other animals.

"We've seen bottlenose dolphins getting lifted up on the noses of humpback whales and getting flicked out of the water just for fun," van Helden said.

"But it's the first time I've heard of an inter-species refloating technique. I think that's wonderful," said van Helden, who was not involved in the rescue but spoke afterward to Smith.

Smith speculated that Moko responded after hearing the whales' distress calls.

"It was looking like it was going to be a bad outcome for the whales ... then Moko just came along and fixed it," he said. "They had arched their backs and were calling to one another, but as soon as the dolphin turned up they submerged into the water and followed her."

After the rescue, Moko returned to the beach and joined in games with local residents, he said.

**Moonbeam** · 03-13-2008 05:39 AM

I read that on CNN yesterday. That was so cool.

**Taosaur** · 03-13-2008 08:04 AM

That dolphin should be rewarded with a hydrated, land-walking exoskeleton and/or neuro-responsive dirigible.

**nina** · 03-13-2008 09:32 AM

Originally Posted by Taosaur

That dolphin should be rewarded with a hydrated, land-walking exoskeleton and/or neuro-responsive dirigible.

I always enjoy your posts. =)

**Xox** · 03-13-2008 03:06 PM

Awww! I love dolphins ^_^

**Oneironaut Zero** · 03-13-2008 03:43 PM

Lol @ Taosaur.

And yeah, dolphins are some of my favorite creatures. Great story.

**Emptus** · 03-18-2008 10:39 PM

This is dumb. Aint no way no fishies is saving no other stupid fishies. This thread is full of failus.

**Grod** · 03-18-2008 10:50 PM

You tell 'em, Patmandoo.

**Spartiate** · 03-18-2008 11:02 PM

Originally Posted by Emptus

This is dumb. Aint no way no fishies is saving no other stupid fishies. This thread is full of failus.

Dolphins and whales are mammals.

**Emptus** · 03-19-2008 06:21 PM

Originally Posted by Spartiate

Dolphins and whales are mammals.

No U R.

**Grod** · 03-19-2008 07:57 PM

Patmandoo/bigfoot/Emptuuuuus

**R.D.735** · 03-19-2008 08:24 PM

Dolphins are sometimes observed committing infanticide on helpless porpoises. For all we know, the dolphins only saved the pygmy sperm whales so that they could brutally murder them in the open ocean.

Alternatively, they may be trying to win the favor of humans so that their species can be preserved, slowly re-evolve legs, and take over the planet when the timing is right, the whole time wondering why they had returned to oceans in the first place.

Maybe it is just altruism. Dolphins seem to like people, and whales can't be bad company in an ocean full of noisy fish. The porpoise thing is just a fluke, a few bad apples, and it doesn't mean they'd go after helpless humans if given half a chance...or legs.

**Spartiate** · 03-19-2008 08:25 PM

Originally Posted by Grod

Patmandoo/bigfoot/Emptuuuuus

Well duh

.

**Xox** · 03-19-2008 08:36 PM

Originally Posted by Grod

Patmandoo/bigfoot/Emptuuuuus

Originally Posted by Spartiate

Well duh

.

You'd think they would have banned him already.

**Grod** · 03-19-2008 08:44 PM

Originally Posted by Xox

You'd think they would have banned him already.

Originally Posted by Spartiate

Well duh

.

I knew first.

**Xox** · 03-19-2008 08:47 PM

Originally Posted by Grod

I knew first.

Congratulations.

Anyway, enough off-topic guys.

**Emptus** · 03-19-2008 08:49 PM

Thanks for sticking up for me, Xox!!!! I love you!

**dragonoverlord** · 03-19-2008 09:06 PM

Originally Posted by R.D.735

Dolphins are sometimes observed committing infanticide on helpless porpoises. For all we know, the dolphins only saved the pygmy sperm whales so that they could brutally murder them in the open ocean.

Alternatively, they may be trying to win the favor of humans so that their species can be preserved, slowly re-evolve legs, and take over the planet when the timing is right, the whole time wondering why they had returned to oceans in the first place.

Maybe it is just altruism. Dolphins seem to like people, and whales can't be bad company in an ocean full of noisy fish. The porpoise thing is just a fluke, a few bad apples, and it doesn't mean they'd go after helpless humans if given half a chance...or legs.

Ya On T.V. i saw some dolphins teaming up on some Purpouses. it was crazy i guess the dolphins didn't know the cameras were Watching.

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