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Dolphins save people at sea

Did you know that there are rescuers in the open sea who work without pay, without a boat, and without a life jacket—they are dolphins? Hundreds of cases have been recorded around the world: dolphins have pushed drowning people to shore, chased away sharks, and even surrounded swimmers in a human circle until help arrived.

In 2004, four swimmers were near a great white shark off New Zealand. Suddenly, dolphins emerged from the depths and circled the people for about forty minutes, keeping the predator at bay. Everyone survived. There was also a case when a dolphin named Philip pulled a boy out of the water who couldn't swim and carefully carried him to shore on his back.

Why do dolphins do this? Scientists say: they have an extremely large brain - as much as 1500 grams, almost like a human's. And they are social: dolphins raise their babies and injured relatives to the surface so that they can breathe. Apparently, humans are also "one of their own" for them.

And dolphins are relatives of whales. Yes, the huge ones. They belong to the same family of cetaceans. Dolphins talk by whistling, and each has its own "name" - a special sound that only it repeats. They recognize each other by name even after twenty years of separation!

The next time you see a dolphin—even in a picture—smile at it. Maybe it's out there in the sea saving someone right now.