Document Actions
Dolphin rescues stranded whales
That dolphins are caring animals is well known and that they helped humans in stressed situtations has been often reported. But now a whale has saved two stranded whales, something never seen before.
Normally, Moko the bottlenose dolphin wants to have fun and swims playfully with humans near the Mahia Beach in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand.
However, when two pygmy sperm whales, a mother and her calf, were found stranded on Mahia Beach, Moko came to the rescue and achieved what rescue workers had been trying to do for hours, free the whales and have them swim to deeper water.
Malcolm Smith, Department of Conservation field worker, could not believe his eyes. He said he was almost giving up trying to rescue the whales and was considering putting them out of their misery when Moko showed up and guided the whales back out to sea.
"I'd been there for an hour and a half, then so quickly she had them out to sea. Never seen anything like this before." Mr Smth said. He also said that the whales' attitude changed completely and they communicated with Moko in clicks and whistles.
Sources:
Dolphin rescues stran...
Dear 70South Visitor,...
2nd Symposium on the Ocean in a High CO2 World