We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Behavior

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Do Dolphins Ever Show an Interest in Helping People?

By Kevin Hellyer
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 2,740
References
Share

There’s a dicey stretch of water called Cook Strait near the entrance to Pelorus Sound in New Zealand. The narrow channel sits within a zone called the Roaring Forties, an area that sees strong winds funneling through a gap between two islands. This stretch of turbulent waters resulted in two of the worst sea catastrophes in New Zealand history.

For 24 years, though, beginning in 1888, sea captains in this perilous area had the "assistance" of Pelorus Jack, a male Risso's dolphin that would meet ships traveling between Wellington and Nelson, and seemed to guide them through these troubled waters (or at least keep them company). Jack became famous for swimming alongside boats and riding their bow waves for around 5 miles (8 km). He was so famous that the New Zealand government passed a law in 1904 protecting him after someone aboard the SS Penguin shot at him with a rifle.

The tale of Pelorus Jack:

  • Photographic records indicate that Pelorus Jack was a Risso’s dolphin, a species that’s rarely found in New Zealand waters. The dolphin was determined to be male because of his overall size.

  • After the attempted shooting from the SS Penguin, Jack never accompanied the steamer again. The Penguin sank after striking a rock at the entrance to Wellington Harbor in 1909, just five years after the shooting incident.

  • Jack disappeared sometime in 1912. It’s not known what happened to him, but scientists think it’s possible he died of old age – though some think he was killed by Norwegian whalers, and others think he was killed after a storm washed him ashore.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Link to Sources
Discussion Comments
By dimchild — On Oct 13, 2021

I feel like crying after this story.

Share
https://www.wisegeek.com/do-dolphins-ever-show-an-interest-in-helping-people.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.