Dolphins are incredibly intelligent creatures. They have highly developed brains, and they are known for their strong communication skills. Of course, dolphins usually prefer to stick with others of their own kind, but they are capable of conveying messages to other species when necessary. Dolphins were able to save a dog’s life by getting the attention of humans nearby, and that’s just one example.
Unfortunately, the dolphin of this story wasn’t engaged in a daring exploit to save another animal in distress. He was the one who needed help, and he had none of his own kind to turn to. He was forced to get the attention of the people diving nearby, and he could only hope that they meant him no harm.
The dolphin was swimming in the ocean off of Kailua-Kona, on the Big Island of Hawaii. It was just like any other night at Garden Eel Cove, until the dolphin found himself caught in a fishing line. He tried to reclaim freedom on his own, but he was unable to get unstuck. This dolphin needed help.
He saw someone diving down into the cove, and he decided to ask for help. He must have been extremely nervous – asking a human for assistance would certainly be a daunting task. Fortunately, he found the courage to go for it, and luckily the diver was more than happy to help.
Scuba diver Keller Laros recognized that the dolphin was in distress and immediately came to his aid. The dolphin’s left pectoral fin was totally trapped. The fishing line had wrapped all the way around his body, and a hunk was wedged in deep. The sight must have been horrifying, but Keller stayed focused on freeing the animal.
Other divers came to the scene with rescue equipment. They motioned for the dolphins to move toward them, then they waited to see if he understood. Astonishingly, the dolphin responded. He knew that the humans were there to help him, and he was grateful for their assistance in this delicate situation.
The dolphin must have been in unimaginable pain, but he knew that thrashing around wouldn’t get him any closer to freedom. He stayed incredibly calm, even as the divers approached him with mysterious tools. Slowly, carefully, they removed the hook. The next problem was the fishing line.
It had really done a number on the dolphin’s body. It was wound around and around, and it penetrated into the creature’s wound and into his mouth. This was going to be tricky, but the divers weren’t ready to give up on the situation.
It must have taken outstanding skills to remove the fishing line from the dolphin. The divers used scissors to cut out the fishing line, then they distanced it from the dolphin for good. Finally, this frightened friend was free.
The video was caught on camera by Martina Wing, who is a passionate Manta Ray Advocate. Her love of the ocean has taught her to respect, appreciate, and defend nature. She works as a photographer along with James Wing, and their work has had a huge impact on the way people see the life that exists off the coast of Hawaii.
This duo has created a compilation of the Manta Rays “solely because of their passion for Manta Rays and their belief that Manta Rays are one of the most beautiful ocean creatures . . . Their combined experience of more than 40 years is unmatched and no one else in the world has more Manta Ray dives than they do.”
This dolphin was clearly lucky when he chose which humans to ask for help. He was met with people who care about the ocean and the life inside it, and he was able to escape mostly intact. It is heartwarming to see beings care for others, even for those who are outside of their own species.
Watch the rescue in the video below.
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