Dolphins save stranded Doberman

[Knee]

A couple of dolphins saved a dog's life by splashing to attract the attention of people in the area. The dog was stranded on a sandbar. He was too weak to bark. Poor guy.

I wonder if the dolphins were just playing and the lady who went to look at them just happened to see the dog on the sandbar. I know dolphins are supposed to be smart, but...

[KidVermicious]

Well, they are smart. What's yet to be established is if they give a shit about anybody/anything else.

We hear all about folks lives being saved by dolphins... we don't hear about the times somebody drowned, and a bunch of dolphins swam around underneath wondering "why's that dude splashing like that?"

[Knee]

Originally Posted by KidVermicious

Well, they are smart. What's yet to be established is if they give a shit about anybody/anything else.

We hear all about folks lives being saved by dolphins... we don't hear about the times somebody drowned, and a bunch of dolphins swam around underneath wondering "why's that dude splashing like that?"

I wish we did hear about those times. That's funny, in a sick way.

[Borborygmi]

"Ha, that's cute. He thinks he's dolphins!"

[What Exit?]

Originally Posted by KidVermicious

Well, they are smart. What's yet to be established is if they give a shit about anybody/anything else.

We hear all about folks lives being saved by dolphins... we don't hear about the times somebody drowned, and a bunch of dolphins swam around underneath wondering "why's that dude splashing like that?"

Any other wild animals known for saving humans at all? I know some dogs and even a few cats have rescued humans but those were pets or trained. I would say even a handful of rescues are remarkable.

There are even cases of dolphins rescuing their large cousins. I read about it a few years ago where they herded some very confused whales back out to deeper water.

The protection of humans from sharks seems to get reported every few years though the actual carrying humans back to shore I don't recall reading an actual account about.

[KidVermicious]

Originally Posted by What Exit?

Any other wild animals known for saving humans at all? I know some dogs and even a few cats have rescued humans but those were pets or trained. I would say even a handful of rescues are remarkable.

There are even cases of dolphins rescuing their large cousins. I read about it a few years ago where they herded some very confused whales back out to deeper water.

The protection of humans from sharks seems to get reported every few years though the actual carrying humans back to shore I don't recall reading an actual account about.

Not that I can think of. We generally don't need monkeys to save us, and even if we did, we're normally too busy hunting them to notice. Domestic animals, as you say, but wild ones?

I hear about the herding of whales and the protection from sharks, and I'm in no position to deny that's it's happened. But I wonder if it's intentional, you know? Some researchers have reported dolphins attacking sharks on sight, the rescuee's presence could be completely coincidental. And what looks like whale-herding to us could be something completely different... "look at the big dumb whale, lets swim in circles and make him confused!".

Heh - maybe prankster dolphins are responsible for whale beachings.

[Jaglavak]

Evidence shows that dolphins are at least as smart as chimps. And they are social animals, so it's not surprising they might lend a flipper to a fellow in need. What is surprising is that we still kill them for food and sport. Well, I guess that's not surprising either. People suck.

[MarkF]

This was a memorable example of a creature protecting a human.

Jambo the Gorilla

[Mako]

Originally Posted by KidVermicious

Not that I can think of. We generally don't need monkeys to save us, and even if we did, we're normally too busy hunting them to notice. Domestic animals, as you say, but wild ones?

I hear about the herding of whales and the protection from sharks, and I'm in no position to deny that's it's happened. But I wonder if it's intentional, you know? Some researchers have reported dolphins attacking sharks on sight, the rescuee's presence could be completely coincidental. And what looks like whale-herding to us could be something completely different... "look at the big dumb whale, lets swim in circles and make him confused!".

Heh - maybe prankster dolphins are responsible for whale beachings.

I get where you're going with that (and your previous posts).

I believe that dolphins - and other cetaceans - rescue people when it suits them. Not because they're duty-bound. They do what they do for the LULZ, I reckon.

[Rebo]

Here's a story about Dick Van Dyke being rescued by porpoises.

[Dirx]

Originally Posted by Jaglavak

Evidence shows that dolphins are at least as smart as chimps. And they are social animals, so it's not surprising they might lend a flipper to a fellow in need. What is surprising is that we still kill them for food and sport. Well, I guess that's not surprising either. People suck.

Dolphins can be pretty brutal as well.

[Jaglavak]

I wouldn't get in a cage with a chimp either. Or some folks I've met, to tell the truth.

[severe delays]

Another possibility is that the dolphin viewed the dog as a potential threat and were trying to scare it off. Their tactics just happened to attract the attention of a human.

[What Exit?]

Originally Posted by Jaglavak

Evidence shows that dolphins are at least as smart as chimps. And they are social animals, so it's not surprising they might lend a flipper to a fellow in need. What is surprising is that we still kill them for food and sport. Well, I guess that's not surprising either. People suck.

I tend to agree.

Originally Posted by Dirx

Dolphins can be pretty brutal as well.

Don't forget the Orca or Killer Whale is a dolphin, just the largest of them. The are extremely bright and really powerful killers. The have a variety of hunting methods and are quite adaptable. But if I fell off a boat at sea, I would hope to see a Dolphin Fin near me and not a shark fin. The level of danger from dolphins is much lower and the chance of a shark helping you is pretty much nil.

[Fish]

Originally Posted by Dirx

Dolphins can be pretty brutal as well.

Juvenile baleenquints.

[Dirx]

Originally Posted by What Exit?

Don't forget the Orca or Killer Whale is a dolphin, just the largest of them. The are extremely bright and really powerful killers. The have a variety of hunting methods and are quite adaptable. But if I fell off a boat at sea, I would hope to see a Dolphin Fin near me and not a shark fin. The level of danger from dolphins is much lower and the chance of a shark helping you is pretty much nil.

What got to me, though, wasn't the fact that they're very capable fighters. I was already aware of that. It was the vicious behaviour without apparent explanation. Almost like killing for sport (hence why I posted the link in response to Jag's post).

Though it's good to note that there don't seem to be any such reported incidents involving humans.

[KidVermicious]

Originally Posted by What Exit?

I tend to agree.

Don't forget the Orca or Killer Whale is a dolphin, just the largest of them. The are extremely bright and really powerful killers. The have a variety of hunting methods and are quite adaptable. But if I fell off a boat at sea, I would hope to see a Dolphin Fin near me and not a shark fin. The level of danger from dolphins is much lower and the chance of a shark helping you is pretty much nil.

Oh, no doubt. And I don't know where I want to draw the line regarding hunted animals and sentience levels, but cetaceans are certainly on the DO NOT DO IT side.

I'm just not convinced that they have a level of sentience sufficient to realise what a drowning human looks like and what to do about it. Leastwise not without training.

How cool would it be though if we could partner with pods of dolphins to act as lifeguards?

[timbicile]

People think dolphins led ships through dangerous waters. I think they were like nascar fans waiting for the crash. As to the dog, the dolphins were closing in for the kill and unthinking humans got involved.