Lisa O
Sometimes, people find themselves in danger with no one around to help. You might not expect it, but there have been cases where wild animals stepped up and saved human lives. Here are the wild animals that saved human lives!
Toddler Rescued by Gorilla from Attack
Back in August 1996, something amazing happened at the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago. There was a 3-year-old boy who fell 18 feet into the gorilla area. He got hurt on his head. But a female gorilla named Binti Jua helped him. Gorillas usually like their space—but Binti Jua protected the boy from the other gorillas. She picked him up gently and carried him about 60 feet to where the zoo people and doctors were waiting.
Girl Saved from Abduction by Lions
A 12-year-old Ethiopian girl was abducted by four men while walking home from school. She stayed with them for a week while police searched for her. The abductors left her when they saw three lions nearby. Surprisingly, the lions didn’t harm her but stayed with her until the police arrived. A wildlife expert suggested the lions spared her because she somehow sounded like a lion cub while crying.
Drowning Diver Rescued by Beluga Whale
In 2009, at the Polar Land Aquarium in Harbin, China, diver Yang Yun joined a free-diving contest to try for a whale training job. But while diving in the icy water, she got a leg cramp and couldn’t swim to safety. That’s when Mila—one of the beluga whales in the tank, saw her trouble and helped. Mila grabbed Yang Yun’s leg with her mouth and pushed her up to the surface—saving her life.
Man Saved from Drowning by Sea Lion
Rarely do people survive intentionally jumping off San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, but in September 2006, 19-year-old Kevin Hines defied the odds. Despite the 25-story fall, he miraculously lived. However, the impact shattered his back, and he couldn’t swim because of the intense pain. Just as he began to sink, a sea lion appeared, nudging and circling him, keeping him afloat. Thanks to the sea lion’s help, authorities reached him on time.
Shark Attack Survivor Rescued by Dolphins
Here’s what happened: A group of dolphins rescued Adam Walker, a long-distance swimmer, when a great white shark appeared beneath him. Ten dolphins formed a protective circle around him until the shark went away. Interestingly, Adam was swimming to raise funds for a nonprofit called Whale and Dolphin Conservation, making the encounter super special.
Woman’s Heart Attack Averted by Pig
When Jo Ann Altsman had a heart attack at home, her pig—Lulu, became her hero! Pigs are clever and can sense things well, so Lulu knew something wasn’t right. She tried to help Jo Ann get up, but when that didn’t work, she dashed outside and stood in the road, squealing for help. Finally, a driver stopped and followed Lulu to Jo Ann. They called an ambulance just in time.
Family Escapes Fire Thanks to Pitbull
In California, a family faced a scary situation when their apartment caught fire. But thanks to their pit bull, Sasha, they got out safely. Sasha barked loudly until Nana Chai woke up, and she even helped by carrying Nana Chai’s baby off the bed. Sasha isn’t the only heroic pit bull—Baby, another pit bull, saved his family from a fire not once but twice!
Boy Saved from Freezing by Beavers’ Warmth
In Ontario, Canada, Rheal Guindon went camping with his parents. While they were fishing from a boat, it capsized, and his parents drowned. Rheal stayed on shore and tried to find help, but it got dark, and he had to spend the night outside. He felt a warm, furry animal beside him, which he thought was a dog. When he woke up—he found three wild beavers cuddled against him. They saved him from freezing to death.
Woman Rescued from Attack by Deer
Back in February 2012, something surprising happened in Oxford, Ohio. A woman was leaving a party late at night when a man attacked her near a field. But luckily, a deer sleeping nearby woke up when it heard them fighting. It ran away, making noise—which scared the man off, too. The woman went back to the party and called for help.
Surfer Saved from Shark Attack by Dolphins
2007, something extraordinary happened to surfer Todd Endris in Monterey, California. A huge Great White shark attacked him not once, not twice, but three times—leaving him with some very serious injuries. But just when things seemed hopeless, a group of dolphins showed up. They formed a circle around Todd, keeping him safe from the shark, and helped him get back to the shore.
Injured Boy Protected by Silverback Gorilla
Back in 1986, something amazing happened at Jersey Zoo. A young boy named Levan Merritt fell into the gorilla enclosure and got severely hurt. But Jambo (a big male gorilla) did something incredible. Instead of being mean, he protected the boy from the other gorillas. He gently touched the boy’s back and led the others away when the kid woke up. Thanks to Jambo, the emergency team was able to rescue the boy.
Mountain Lion Attack Survivor Saved by Bear
In March 2012, Robert Biggs went for a hike in Whiskey Flats, California. But things got super scary when a mountain lion attacked him! He tried to fight back when the lion attacked, but it was tough. Then, suddenly, the bear showed up and fought the lion off. After a bit, the lion ran away, and the bear went back to her cub. Thankfully, Robert only hurt his arm—and he made it home okay.
Fisherman Rescued by Dolphins and Whales
Back in 2008, something incredible happened to Ronnie Dabal in the Philippines. He was fishing when a strong storm hit and flipped his boat over. Ronnie fought against the waves for a whole day—clinging to a piece of Styrofoam. But as night fell, he grew too tired to keep going. Then, out of nowhere, a group of 30 dolphins and two whales surrounded him and gently pushed his raft towards the shore.
Woman Safely Transported by Giant Sea Turtle
Let me tell you about something incredible that happened in June 1974. There was a 62-year-old woman named Candalaria Villanueva who got stuck at sea. But here’s the amazing part—she was saved by a massive sea turtle! When she first got stranded, she saw the turtle coming towards her so she held onto its shell. The turtle swam with her for two whole days without stopping for food—it sacrificed its own hunger to help her.
Woman Carried to Safety by Dolphins
There was a woman named Yvonne Vladislavich sailing in the Indian Ocean when her yacht suddenly exploded and sank. But then, three dolphins came to her rescue. One dolphin swam under her, so she could hold onto it. The other two dolphins swam around her—protecting her from any sharks. They stayed with her for many hours until she reached a buoy. Then, they left her before a passing ship picked her up.