Dolphin Tangled in Fishing Line Approaches Divers for Help

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.care2.com/causes/dolphin-tangled-in-fishing-line-approaches-divers-for-help-video.html

by TreeHugger December 10, 2013 10:00 pm

Editor’s note: This post is a Care2 favorite, back by popular demand. It was originally posted on January 25, 2013. Enjoy!

Written by Stephen Messenger

Earlier this month, while on an nighttime swim with manta rays off the coast of Hawaii, a group of divers were surprised to see a single Bottlenose dolphin approach and linger among them, though it appeared unable to swim normally.

Only after the dolphin continued to circle near around him so insistently did diving instructor Keller Laros begin to realize the animal wasn’t merely being curious — it was actually asking them for help. The dolphin’s movements were restricted because it had become entangled in fishing line and a hook was lodged in its pectoral fin.

Incredibly, the wild dolphin then appears to readily comply with Laros’s efforts to help, positioning its body to make his work easier, seeming to give full trust in the terrestrial stranger.

Published on Jan 13, 2013

Dolphin entangled with fishing line rescued by divers in Kona Hawaii

Update: I learned that the hook and all line were removed after I spoke with the diver. I would prefer to correct the video caption, but you tube does not have the option to reload without loosing all your beautiful comments and thought. Blessings to all I can inspire. Martina (Camera Woman)

[lillypaddle]

1. Beautiful

and amazing.

[passiveporcupine]

2. Just beautiful

Watching the trust this dolphin puts into the hands of his helpers. Just amazing.

[ms liberty]

3. Awesome...n/t

[rhett o rick]

4. k&r thanks for posting. nm

[dougolat]

5. That brings to mind the clip of boaters who found a young humpback entangled...

...in a net, it could scarcely move and breathing with difficulty. In order to cut it loose, one guy jumped into the water, and it took a while, quite dangerous; but when freed it put on a joyous show of breaching for a long time.

[dreamnightwind]

11. Probably this one:

At the time I read abut it in a blog posted by the rescuers, very cool, but with Google I only found links like this. Anyway, it takes you to the YouTube, awesome rescue.

http://boingboing.net/2011/07/28/humpback-whale-says-thanks-after-being-freed-from-nets.html

[Iliyah]

6. Man and dolphin intuned

lovely. The dolphin knew man could help which shows its intelligence.

[ffr]

7. Acts of kindness toward another intelligent species

you won't see on Drudge, Fox Noise, Rush, or any other self-important self-serving group/individual.

[busterbrown]

8. Thanks Omaha...n/t

[freshwest]

9. I love this! Thanks for posting it! n/t

[DFW]

10. Speechless, and I've been on one of those night dives at Kona

When my daughter was going to school near there (Waimea, up the Kohala coast), we went out to see the manta rays at that same spot off Kona. No dolphins (or sharks) when we were there, though. She is scuba certified, so she could go down. I had to remain on the surface, as I have ear pressure problems. At one spot off shore, lights were installed years ago on the ocean floor. They attract plankton, and the manta rays, which feed on the plankton, swarm in and do their graceful flaying ballet. Though it's hard to believe this of a fish, the manta rays gave the impression of wanting to entertain us. For those of us swimming on the surface, these huge fish with a "wingspan" of over ten feet would come up near us and do somersaults within inches of us, never touching.

Once you have experienced it up close, you get a profound appreciation for how important it is to preserve the planet's oceans for those who live in it and from it.