Facts about Dolphins
The maximum age for bottlenose dolphins is between 40 and 50 years. The average age a dolphin can get (the life expectancy) can be calculated from the ASR Annual Survival Rate (the percentage of animals alive at a certain point, that is still alive one year later). For the dolphin population in Sarasota Bay, the ASR has been measured to be about 0.961. This yields a life expectancy of about 25 years. For the population in the Indian/Banana River area, the ASR is between 0.908 and 0.931. This yields a life expectance between 10.3 and 14 years. So the actual life expectancy differs per region
Dolphin Rescues Two Beached Whales
A dolphin has been hailed as a hero after it came to the aid of two whales that were beached with seemingly no hope of rescue.
The pair of pygmy sperm whales were stuck on the shore of New Zealand's North Island. Although a group of (human) conservationists had tried to free them for an hour, they were about to give up.
But then, according to reports, a bottlenose dolphin known as Moko "appeared, communicated with the whales and led them to safety."
"I don't speak whale, and I don't speak dolphin," one local man told the BBC. "But there was obviously something that went on.... The dolphin did what we had failed to do."
Look, we're glad the whales are OK and all, but we can't help but feel slighted.
Those dolphins are always trying to outdo us humans. But who has the opposable thumb, dolphins? Who has the opposable thumb? That's right. We win. Game over!
At the Rescue
by Andrew Comello
"My life will be over with soon... my pain will be gone", I say
as I dream about committing suicide, the very next day.
As I dream, I look upon the ledge and contemplate my leap
it's so far down... so long... so deep....
I find myself asking, "...is it worth dying?"
I see myself hurt... I see myself crying....
I cry out aloud, begging for help...
But no one answers, and everything is dark...
Out of the blackness of the depths, an angel appears!
So kind and gentle, to share my tears, and put aside my fears...
It is a Dolphin... so sleek and strong...
A symbol of hope... that all is not gone...
He pulls me from the emotional quagmire in which I lie...
He holds me close... and looks me in the eye...
My soul is pierced... My problems fade...
"This is where healing takes place", he says... "Do not be afraid..."
Fin in hand, he guides me back to my bed...
I look down upon myself and reality.... and I dread...
"Fear not" I hear the shimmering Dolphin squeak...
"For I will always be there for you... even when times seem bleak..."
As I lie down, things feel anew...
He swims in close and says, "You will be alright... I believe in you..."
He leaps around me in joyful happiness...
For I had chosen to live... and was no longer in sadness...
As the Dolphin hovers above me, he makes one final call:
"Remember... Healing takes time... time heals all."
My eyes begin to close as I see him fade away...
It will soon be a new day...
But I know that he will live forever in my dreams to play!
