A group of training lifeguards swimming off New Zealand were
protected from a great white shark by dolphins. The
lifeguards were training at a beach near Whangarei on the
North Island when they were menaced by a 3-metre shark,
before the dolphins raced in to help. The dolphins
surrounded the swimmers for 40 minutes before they were able
to make it safely back to the beach.

Marine biologists say such altruistic behaviour is not
uncommon in dolphins. One lifeguard said that it was an
uncomfortable experience, as they were circled by a great
white shark, which came within a couple of metres, but the
dolphins suddenly appeared and herded the swimmers
together. The dolphins then swam in tight circles to
create a defensive barrier as the great white swam beneath
the surface. The swimmers said the dolphins were
extremely agitated and repeatedly slapped the water with
their tails, presumably to try to deter the predator as it
cruised nearby.