The Incredible Animals That Came to Humanity’s Rescue

Quick Take

• One WWI dog didn't just warn soldiers of gas attacks. He pulled off something even combat veterans couldn't manage. Stubby's spy capture →
• Scientists still can't agree on why dolphins form protective rings around swimmers in shark-infested water, and yet the debate doesn't make the rescues any less real. Dolphin rescues explained →
• A potbellied pig once devised a step-by-step rescue plan to save her owner's life, and it worked. Lulu's rescue plan →
• The gorilla story that shocked zoo visitors in 1996 was seen by dozens of witnesses, and what they saw directly contradicts what most people assume about wild animals. Binti Jua's gentle rescue →

Instances of animals helping humans have been documented going back thousands of years, and their contributions go beyond work or companionship. The animals on this list were true heroes, doing amazing acts to help people, such as warning humans of danger or pulling victims from the water. Some of their stories are found in historical records, while others had large numbers of witnesses. These animals prove that courage and empathy is found throughout the animal kingdom.

Balto

Balto is one of the world’s most famous dogs because he helped bring a life-saving medication to a small Alaskan town in 1925. Though multiple dogs were involved in the journey, Balto led the final leg of the serum relay through blizzards, freezing temperatures, and near-zero visibility. Thanks to him, the crucial diphtheria antitoxin made it to Nome, Alaska. Without the dogsled teams, the medicine almost certainly would not have reached the town in time. Balto’s hard work and bravery made him a national hero. In fact, his statue still stands in New York City’s Central Park.

Dolphins

There are numerous documented accounts of wild dolphins protecting swimmers from sharks. In several cases, pods have formed tight circles around people in the water, keeping sharks at a distance until help came or the predators left. Scientists are still trying to figure out if dolphins do this out of kindness or some sort of instinct. Whatever the reason, their actions have repeatedly saved lives.

Binti Jua the Gorilla

In 1996, an eight-year-old boy fell roughly 20 feet into a gorilla enclosure at Brookfield Zoo near Chicago. Instead of harming the little boy, a female western lowland gorilla named Binti Jua gently held the unconscious child in her arms. She also kept the other gorillas away from him. She then carried him to an access door where zookeepers could get to him. The act stunned visitors and made international news.

Stubby

Sergeant Stubby, a stray Boston Terrier mix, became a hero of World War I. He warned sleeping soldiers of approaching mustard gas attacks by barking before the gas hit the trenches. Stubby also located hurt soldiers on the battlefield. It is even said that he helped capture a German spy and detained him until American troops arrived. This impressive canine saved countless lives during the war.

Kerry the Horse

During the awful 2003 California wildfires, a horse named Kerry refused to leave her trapped owner. Even though flames closed in, Kerry encouraged her owner to make her way toward safety. He nudged and guided the injured woman out of harm’s way. Despite suffering burns herself, the horse survived and so did her owner. The story is a beautiful example of strong bonds between horses and humans.

Lulu the Potbellied Pig

Lulu the pig became a hero after her owner had a heart attack and collapsed. Knowing her owner was in danger, the pig squeezed through a fence, ran into the road, and lay down. After several drivers stopped, Lulu led one of them back to her owner, who was able to get medical attention in time to survive. Her heartwarming act made national news.

Koko the Gorilla

Koko was a western lowland gorilla famous for learning American Sign Language. Few people know that she saved her caretaker’s life during a dangerous incident. While working with Koko, researcher Penny Patterson choked on an apple. Patterson couldn’t breathe and no one else was around except Koko. The gorilla recognized that something was wrong and quickly hit Patterson on the back until the piece of apple was knocked free. In addition to communication skills, Koko proved she had remarkable awareness and empathy.