24.
Dolphins Save Surfer From Shark
Australian Surfer Todd Endris needed a miracle. The shark, estimated at twelve to fifteen feet long, hit him first as Endris was sitting on his surfboard, but couldn’t get its monster jaws around both surfer and surfboard. The second time, it came down and clamped on his torso — sandwiched his board and his torso in his mouth. That attack shredded his back, literally peeling the skin back ‘like a banana peel.’ But because Endris’ stomach was pressed to the surfboard, his intestines and internal organs were protected. The third time, the shark tried to swallow Endris’ right leg, and he said that was actually a good thing, because the shark’s grip anchored him while he kicked the beast in the head and snout with his left leg until it let go. The dolphins, which had been cavorting in the surf all along, showed up then. They circled him, keeping the shark at bay, and enabled Endris to get back on his board and catch a wave to the shore where quick first aid provided by a friend saved his life.
There is nothing new about this incident. Thousands of cases like this where dolphins have come to human rescue have been documented over the years.
There is nothing new about this incident. Thousands of cases like this where dolphins have come to human rescue have been documented over the years.