Why do dolphins protect humans from sharks?

Question

they are known to protect humans even to the point of sacrificing themselves!!! why?

Answer 1

because they were people before reincarnation!

Answer 2

Because dolphins are men evovled. I once saw a half man, half dolphin in Greece.

I think either those particular dolphins perhaps have had bonding moments with people or as others have said are just protecting themselves or pod.

Answer 3

I think it's great that one type of animal is willing to help another, and there have certainly been cases where dolphins have helped people during shark attacks. I wouldn't want to have that as my only back-up plan though, as obviously dolphins often aren't nearby when a shark attack occurs, and even when they are, I don't imagine they would help on every single occasion. The fact that they even help on some occasions, though, is impressive, in my opinion.

There was a girl, Sarah Wiley, killed by sharks early in 2006, off the east coast of Australia. When a guy swam out to save her, the sharks were still attacking her. As he dragged her back to the beach, a group of dolphins came and continually swam between them and the sharks all the way back to the beach. A second guy went to help, and the dolphins managed to keep the sharks from both of them, plus the girl all the way in. One of the men spoke about it afterwards, but it wasn't given much attention, as the girl died and all the focus was on that.

Personally, I give dolphins credit for knowing what's going on. Obviously, they understand what it means if a shark attacks a dolphin. They know it's bad news and they try to protect the dolphin that's getting attacked, (successfully, in many cases).

On the occasions that they help humans, it's hard to know why they do, but they certainly know humans won't hurt them (here in Australia, anyway). They are often seen riding the waves near people who are surfing. It would be interesting to know whether they've ever helped to rescue a human in areas where humans hunt them. I doubt it. Most dolphins that see shark attacks would be in areas where they have seen humans plenty of times before.

Anyway, whatever the reason, it's great that they have the capacity to help humans at times. The guy who dragged Sarah Wiley out of the water probably wouldn't have survived, himself, if the dolphins hadn't helped him.

Answer 4

Because they are highly intelligent animals, and seem to be quite loving if they do this.

They know how mean sharks are, so they sacrifice themselves to let the "aliens" in the water get away.

By aliens, I mean peoples.

I think they should just let the humans die though, we repay such kindness by killing them, putting them in shows, and horrible little caged pools.

Answer 5

I've heard stories about dolphins saving people from sharks.  It could be that the dolphins were with people in groups and were actually defending themselves from the sharks.

or it could be that the people and dolphins developed a relationship through play, then the dolphins helped them.

But, wild dolphins can be dangerous.  So it is not a good idea to play with wild dolphins.

Answer 6

It's basically a myth. Though there have been stories about it, and legends of it in the roman and greek histories, nowadays it's really just an old tale.

It's been movies like Flipper, Orca, and of the like, that'll have you thinking if you see Jaws coming after you, and then a pod of dolphins closeby, that you'll be alright. NOT TRUE! Dolphins are smart, and won't likely sacrifice themselves for your sake.

I truly think that dolphins attacked these sharks in the first place because the shark was close by anyway, and so automatically a threat to their pod. Who cares if the shark has found something else to eat, they just want it away from them!

Answer 7

I'm not sure, I haven't heard that before.

Maybe it has something to do with the fact dolphins have also been know to, ummmmm, try and "mate" with humans too...

Answer 8

That's a myth.  Dolphins have no emotional attachment to humans.  They sure don't sacrifice self.  Animals are incapable of altruism.  Humans have made an association with dolphins.  Therefore we humanize them.  In a word, anthropomorphous.  The best that could be thought of it is fortunate circumstances for the people involved.  But for all we know the dolphins could have been attracted to the shark.  You see they cant talk.  And until they do, we will never know.

Answer 9

And look how we treat them by putting them in tiny pools and killing them in tuna nets.

Answer 10

they really dont normally

Answer 11

Noone really knows why, but dolphins also help their dolphin buddies if they are in danger. Ive read that they keep the wounded dolpin on the surface of water so it can breathe. I don't know why the dolphin helps the human then cos theire a diff species, but maybe their just so kind lol =)