National Dolphin Day: Do dolphins always assist swimmers in distress – and other facts about them.
Dolphins are known to help each other out, hence, the theory that they also assist humans.
ALTHOUGH there are accounts of dolphins ‘saving’ swimmers who find themselves in trouble underwater, there are also accounts of dolphins harming swimmers and of ignoring people in trouble.
This is according to Ann Kunz of the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR) as the country observes National Dolphin Day today (April 14). Kunz addresses the theory of dolphins saving swimmers from drowning and also gives insight into the life of these marine mammals.
Also read: Update: Dolphins protect calving whale from sharks?
She says: “It is not true that you will be saved if you are drowning and there are dolphins close by. There are also accounts of dolphins helping each other out if one is unwell by holding them up so they can breathe. This is the theory as to why dolphins are sometimes seen assisting humans in the same way.”
Kunz reveals that female dolphins are naturally the ‘aunties’ and ‘midwives’ when one of their fellow females gives birth. “Because dolphins are mammals and breathe air, in the first moments just after the baby is born, it is essential to quickly get the calf to the surface so it can take its first breath,” she continues. Therefore, the dolphin ‘midwives’ assist them in this regard.
She highlighted that dolphins are gregarious and live in groups, but if one of the dolphins in the group is not well, or in the case of young animals, they are targets for the sharks, they will assist and protect them. Kunz states: “For this reason, the dolphins have been known to band together and target the sharks in order to protect their young.”
She describes dolphins as fast sprinters, chatty animals and intelligent like human beings. “They like to blow bubbles, live in fresh water and can be found all over the world and in different environments,” Kunz added.
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