5 Unbelievable Stories of Animals Saving Humans

Humans have relied on animals since the dawn of time, but did you know that animals have also saved humans' lives throughout history? Here are five incredible stories of animals who came to the rescue in times of need.

1. The Dolphin Who Saved a Surfer

In 2007, Todd Endris was surfing off the coast of California when he was attacked by a great white shark. The shark bit him several times and dragged him under the water. Just when Todd thought he was going to die, a pod of dolphins appeared out of nowhere and swam circles around him, keeping the shark at bay until Todd was able to make it back to the shore. The dolphins stayed with Todd until a lifeguard arrived and took him to the hospital. Thanks to the dolphins, Todd survived the attack and was able to tell his incredible story.

2. The Gorilla Who Protected a Child

In 1996, a three-year-old boy fell into the gorilla enclosure at the Brookfield Zoo in Illinois. Everyone expected Harambe, the dominant male gorilla, to attack the boy. Instead, Harambe protected the child from the other gorillas in the enclosure and even gently carried him to a door where zookeepers could retrieve him. Harambe could have easily killed the child, but he chose to save him instead.

3. The Elephant Who Rescued a Girl

In 2002, a seven-year-old girl in Thailand was swept away by a strong current while washing clothes in a river. Her family searched for her for hours and had given up hope when a group of elephants appeared on the riverbank. One of the elephants, named Ning Nong, plunged into the river and used her trunk to pull the girl to safety. The other elephants formed a protective circle around the girl until she was rescued. The girl suffered only minor injuries, and her family believes that Ning Nong was sent by the gods to save her.

4. The Dog Who Called for Help

In 2013, a diabetic man in Arizona collapsed and lost consciousness. His dog, Buddy, was trained to call 911 in case of an emergency by pressing a special button on the phone. Buddy pushed the button and waited by his owner's side until paramedics arrived. Thanks to Buddy's quick thinking, the man received prompt medical attention and survived.

5. The Cat Who Fought Off a Dog

In 2014, a four-year-old boy was playing outside his home in California when a neighbor's dog attacked him. The boy's cat, named Tara, raced to his defense and chased the dog away. Footage from a security camera captured the heroic act, and Tara became an overnight sensation. The boy needed some stitches, but he was not seriously injured thanks to his brave cat.