Dolphins prevent NZ shark attack
By Phil Mercer
BBC, Sydney
A group of swimmers has told how a pod of dolphins
protected them from a great white shark off New
Zealand's coast.
The lifeguards were training at a beach near Whangarei
on the North Island when they were menaced by a
3-metre shark, before the dolphins raced in to help.
The swimmers were surrounded by the dolphins for 40
minutes before they were able to make it safely back
to the beach.
Marine biologists say such altruistic behaviour is not
uncommon in dolphins.
Lifeguard Rob Howes was in the water with two
colleagues and his teenage daughter.
It was an uncomfortable experience, as they were
circled by a great white shark, which came within a
couple of metres.
He said around half a dozen dolphins suddenly appeared
and herded the swimmers together. The mammals swam in
tight circles to create a defensive barrier as the
great white lurked under the surface.
The swimmers said the dolphins were extremely agitated
and repeatedly slapped the water with their tails,
presumably to try to deter the predator as it cruised
nearby.
The drama happened in New Zealand three weeks ago, but
only now are the lifeguards telling their story.
It is a day they will never forget, especially for one
of the swimmers, who was on her first day as a
volunteer.
They have no doubt that the dolphins acted
deliberately to protect them.
Researchers have said they are not surprised. A marine
biologist insisted that dolphins, which are considered
to be one of the most intelligent mammals, "like to
help the helpless".
Story from BBC NEWS:
By Phil Mercer
BBC, Sydney
A group of swimmers has told how a pod of dolphins
protected them from a great white shark off New
Zealand's coast.
The lifeguards were training at a beach near Whangarei
on the North Island when they were menaced by a
3-metre shark, before the dolphins raced in to help.
The swimmers were surrounded by the dolphins for 40
minutes before they were able to make it safely back
to the beach.
Marine biologists say such altruistic behaviour is not
uncommon in dolphins.
Lifeguard Rob Howes was in the water with two
colleagues and his teenage daughter.
It was an uncomfortable experience, as they were
circled by a great white shark, which came within a
couple of metres.
He said around half a dozen dolphins suddenly appeared
and herded the swimmers together. The mammals swam in
tight circles to create a defensive barrier as the
great white lurked under the surface.
The swimmers said the dolphins were extremely agitated
and repeatedly slapped the water with their tails,
presumably to try to deter the predator as it cruised
nearby.
The drama happened in New Zealand three weeks ago, but
only now are the lifeguards telling their story.
It is a day they will never forget, especially for one
of the swimmers, who was on her first day as a
volunteer.
They have no doubt that the dolphins acted
deliberately to protect them.
Researchers have said they are not surprised. A marine
biologist insisted that dolphins, which are considered
to be one of the most intelligent mammals, "like to
help the helpless".
Story from BBC NEWS:
