Article Details
Article Date 11/23/2004
United Press Int'l | Health News
Dolphins protect swimmers from shark
AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Nov. 23 (UPI) -- A pod of dolphins saved the lives of a group of lifeguards in training by surrounding them from a circling great white shark off New Zealand.
Lifeguard Rob Howes was in the water with two colleagues and his teenage daughter when the 10-foot shark appeared and began circling, the BBC reported. Just as suddenly, he said around half a dozen dolphins also appeared and herded the swimmers together.
The swimmers said the dolphins were extremely agitated and repeatedly slapped the water with their tails for 40 minutes to deter the cruising shark. As the dolphins maintained the defensive circle, the group inched closer to the beach and eventually reached land safely.
A marine biologist said it was not surprising behavior for dolphins since they are known to "like to help the helpless."
The incident took place three weeks ago at a beach near Whangarei on the North Island but just came to light Monday, the report said.
