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Dolphins

From Building Character with True Stories from Nature by Barbara A. Lewis, copyright © 2012. Free Spirit Publishing Inc., Minneapolis, MN; 800-735-7323; www.freespirit.com. This page may be reproduced for use within an individual classroom. For all other uses, contact www.freespirit.com/company/permissions.cfm.

Friendly DolphinsIn the 1900s, many ships crashed on the rocks along New Zealand’s shore. Sailors had to be very careful. But they had a friend. When sailors were near the dangerous Cook Strait, they would slow down their ships and wait. Looking through spyglasses, they watched for Pelorus Jack. He was a friendly dolphin. Pelorus Jack knew these waters better than people did. He swam next to ships and guided them safely through narrow, rocky channels. Some people say that the ships Pelorus Jack guided never wrecked. Pelorus Jack grew famous. Postcards with his picture were popular.

Many other dolphins have also swum alongside ships. Dolphins probably do this to save their energy. A ship makes a wave in the water as it moves. Dolphins use this wave to help them swim faster or more easily. But for hundreds of years, sailors have considered these dolphins to be good luck.

Pelorus Jack was only one of many well-known dolphins. Everyone in New Zealand seemed to know Moko. He was a bottlenose dolphin. For years, he charmed locals and tourists. Moko seemed to enjoy playing with people at Mahia Beach. He tossed beach balls with waders. He pushed kayaks with his nose. He jumped out of the water and did flips. Local people and tourists loved Moko.

But Moko was more than a playmate. He was also a lifesaver. In 2008, a mother sperm whale and her calf got trapped near the beach. They swam into a narrow space near the shore. Then they couldn’t find their way out. People tried to help the whales. But they couldn’t guide them through the narrow escape route. It looked like the whales might die.

From Building Character with True Stories from Nature by Barbara A. Lewis, copyright © 2012. Free Spirit Publishing Inc., Minneapolis, MN; 800-735-7323; www.freespirit.com. This page may be reproduced for use within an individual classroom. For all other uses, contact www.freespirit.com/company/permissions.cfm.

Then Moko showed up. Somehow, he seemed to understand the problem. Moko made strange little grunts and whistles. The whales seemed to understand. They followed Moko to open water. The whales swam away, safe and sound.

Dolphins help each other, too. Dolphins breathe air. But sometimes when they are hurt or sick, they can’t get up to the water’s surface. Some dolphins have lifted others to the surface to help them get air.

The playful, helpful behavior of dolphins has made them popular with people. Dolphins have been in many movies and TV shows. They’re natural stars. They even look like they’re smiling!

Dolphins aren’t just pretty faces, though. They are some of the smartest animals. They communicate with clicks, whistles, and grunts. They learn fast. They can be trained to understand human words and commands. They even help people do their work. In a town in Brazil, dolphins herd fish toward people waiting near shore. Then the dolphins do quick little dives in the water. This tells the fishers where to throw in their nets. The fishers respect these dolphins. They’re grateful for their help. The fishers get a big catch. And the dolphins eat fish that try to swim away from the nets. Working together, the dolphins and people all get more fish than they would alone. What a team!