In the animal kingdom, dolphins are widely recognized as highly intelligent and gentle creatures, and we often hear some remarkable stories about dolphins rescuing humans.

These stories are not merely fictional tales but have occurred around us.

One of the most famous stories is that of Arion, as recorded by the Greek historian Herodotus: Once, a musician named Arion was returning to Corinth, Greece, with a large sum of money on a ship.

During the voyage, the sailors, coveting his wealth, plotted to kill him. Sensing danger, Arion begged the sailors to allow him to play one last tune. After finishing his performance, he threw himself into the embrace of the sea.

To everyone's surprise, dolphins had been attracted to the ship by Arion's beautiful music. Just as he faced mortal peril, the dolphins approached and carried him safely to the shores of the Peloponnese. While this story has been passed down through the ages, many still find it hard to believe. However, in recent years, there have been increasing reports of dolphins rescuing humans, proving that dolphin rescues are not mere myths.

This raises the question: Do dolphins rescue humans? And why do they do it? The key to this question lies in determining whether dolphin rescues are unconscious instincts or deliberate acts. Undoubtedly, a plethora of historical and contemporary records attest to dolphins consistently being rescuers in times of distress. When humans are in peril in the water, they often receive aid from dolphins.

As a result, dolphins have earned the moniker "lifeguards of the sea," and many countries have enacted laws to protect them. Yet, the question remains: Why do dolphins rescue humans? Many scientists have become interested in this question, but to this day, there is no unified answer. As of now, scientists offer two main explanations for dolphin rescues:

1. Playfulness:

Dolphins exhibit playful behavior, often engaging in activities such as pushing floating objects on the water's surface as part of their games. They are also known to be friendly towards humans, even actively seeking out interaction.

When dolphins encounter a drowning person, they may mistake them for a floating object and, driven by their instinct to play and assist, lift them and push them toward shore, inadvertently saving their lives.

2. Altruism:

An increasing number of scientists believe that dolphin rescues stem from a sense of altruism rather than mere instinct. They argue that attributing dolphin rescues solely to instinct oversimplifies the matter and underestimates the intelligence of these creatures.

Marine biologists suggest that dolphins, like humans, possess learning abilities and may even surpass chimpanzees in this regard. Research indicates that dolphins have well-developed brains, with numerous cortical folds. The more folds there are, the more advanced the intelligence. An adult dolphin's brain weighs around 1.6 kilograms, surpassing the human brain's average weight of approximately 1.5 kilograms, while a chimpanzee's brain weighs less than 0.25 kilograms.

In terms of both absolute and relative brain weight, dolphins far exceed chimpanzees. Intelligence and learning ability are closely linked, and some argue that dolphins, with their larger brain capacity, are highly intelligent and capable of conscious actions. Moreover, in many instances, dolphins rescue people by guiding them toward the shore rather than pushing them further into the sea.

Dr. Ingrid Visser, who has studied marine mammals for 14 years, states that there are numerous reports worldwide of dolphins protecting swimmers. When dolphins perceive humans to be in danger, they immediately take action to protect them. Their actions, such as rescuing drowning individuals and forming a protective barrier against sharks, are compelling evidence of their conscious intent.

Whether dolphin rescues are conscious or unconscious, it is our responsibility to coexist harmoniously with them. Humans must preserve the marine environment, allowing us to coexist and communicate with these beautiful creatures indefinitely.