Dolphin's lucky escape

In a heart-warming tale, Australian media has reported how a pair of human-friendly dolphins stuck together and seemingly sought help when one was attacked by a shark off Brisbane.

The male victim, known as Nari, is one of a pod of 11 dolphins which attend regular hand-feeding sessions at Tangalooma Resort, off Brisbane's Moreton Island. When the animal did not turn up for some days, it was feared that he had died.

Then he appeared near the shore, looking poorly. He had been attacked by a large shark and suffered a nasty bite to his head and back. He was accompanied by his mate, called Echo.

While it is possible that the creatures' decision to head shoreward had nothing to do with their habitual contact with humans, it is also possible that Nari headed in, or was guided there by Echo, because the dolphins sensed that humans might be able to help.

Nari allowed himself to be taken from the water by vets without a struggle and was transferred to Sea World on the Gold Coast. There, vets operated on his wounds and gave him antibiotics.

After a period of forced feeding when he was weak, Nari has gained strength, is eating again and is showing "encouraging" behaviour. He will remain in his recuperation tank for some weeks before being released to rejoin Echo and the rest of his pod.