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Shark Attack Thwarted by Dolphins

by Matt Van Hoven

Browse News

BY CATEGORY:
BY PET:

November 14, 2007

CALIFORNIA – On August 28th, Todd Endris was attacked by a great white shark as he waded off the coast of Monterey, California. He says he's only alive today because a pod of dolphins came to his rescue.

The 24 year-old surfer says he was sitting on his board when the 12-15 foot long shark attacked – striking him three times at his leg and torso - peeling the skin off his back like a banana.

It was soon after that moment that a pod of bottle-nosed dolphins intervened, forming a protective ring around him. It was that protection that gave Endris enough time to catch a wave back to shore.

He reached shore bloody and pale - a friend he was with wasn't sure Endris would make it. After being flown via helicopter to a hospital, doctors were able to stitch the surfer up.

Four months and lots of rehab later, Endris is is still in recovery. After all, his leg was severed to the bone – and then there's his back. He says it only took six weeks before he was back out in the surf - overcoming a fear that before last August, he never imagined to be possible.

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heroes, dolphin, shark, animal attacks, other pets

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DEREKDEMANE
DEREKDEMANE
11 months ago
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Dolphins are amazing beings. Its hard to believe that Japan still has their yearly hunt of these beautiful creatures.
 
Saskia M.
Saskia M. (saskia)
11 months ago
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I've heard stories like this before. Dolphins are just amazing.
 
Sarah W.
Sarah W. (Roxymimi)
1 year ago
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I'm glad the surfer isn't afraid to surf now after this accident. I'm glad he survived. Its an amazing story!
 
Mark J.
Mark J. (MonarchMark)
1 year ago
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I love Dolphins, they are great. Has anyone ever swam wit one?
 
Angie R.
Angie R. (amin23960)
1 year ago
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That is so cool. It is amazing that sharks would be scared of dolphins. I wonder what it is a smell of the dolphin, something the dolphin does to make them fearful of dolphins. And why isnt the dolphins predisposition to be scared of a shark, most everything other animal is.
 
Carol L.
Carol L. (langsford)
1 year ago
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I have heard of this before that Dolphins will chase away sharks and in fact kill them. My father told me when he was in the Navy and they saw the ship was being followed by Dolphins they knew it would be safe to swim. This is a good story, I liked it very much. I swam with Dolphins while in Tahiti and it was such a wonderful experience
 
Kimberly B.
Kimberly B. (Kad46)
1 year ago
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I'm glad everything turned out alright.Some animals never cease to amaze us
 
Karen B.
Karen B. (kaly4647)
1 year ago
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A heartwarming story. Glad the poor guy survivied.
 
Jeanie F.
Jeanie F. (JFulton99)
1 year ago
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Great story. Although I think I would not be so brave as to go surfing again.
 
Anna
Anna (xDemolitionLoverx)
1 year ago
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I love the way dolphins help out people like that! Dolphins have saved other animals before too. They're really smart!
 
loosey
loosey
1 year ago
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Todd is so lucky!!!!!
 
Natalie
Natalie (Doulton)
1 year ago
Flag this | Good Point | 1 user liked it.
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These dolphins are so magnificent. Let's give back to them. Read up on "dolphin-friendly" tuna and try to make certain that you are educated. We don't want to destroy a species that tries to help us.
 
Alex J.
Alex J. (roadisland49)
1 year ago
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dolphons rock ur soxz
 
SandyReedy
SandyReedy
1 year ago
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Dolphins may overtake dogs as mans best friend if this keeps up! There have been a lot of studies on the intelligence of dolphins, and, apparently it is pretty high. This is one lucky surfer!
 
Tara E.
Tara E. (tarbear16)
1 year ago
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wow..doiphins were always considered a sign of good luck to sailors
 
Kindra H.
Kindra H. (khillcwapr)
1 year ago
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Dolphins are so amazing! I loved this story and found it so touching that these dolphins would do this for a human that was a complete stranger to them. This boy is very lucky and brave - I don't think I would ever surf again!
 
Natalie
Natalie (Doulton)
1 year ago
Flag this | Good Point | 1 user liked it.
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I would never go back into the water. I think that the kindness and intelligence of dolphins has yet to be fully understood.
 
Connie G.
Connie G. (cgleason)
1 year ago
Flag this | Good Point | 2 users liked it.
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What a wonderful story. Dolphins are amazing creatures. They do so much for humans!!
 
Natalie
Natalie (Doulton)
1 year ago
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Dolphins are truly our friends. I will only eat fish that is certified free of dolphin danger. You need to be careful because people know how to endanger dolphins whereas dolphins help people.
 
RoseLong
RoseLong
1 year ago
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This really is such an amazing story. This man owes the dolphins his life. He was very lucky they were there to protect him.
 
ashley G.
ashley G. (ashgraham)
1 year ago
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Thats an amazing story,Dolphins are very smart!
 
Julie A.
Julie A. (jablan)
1 year ago
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Dolphins are a wonderul creature
 
Scott J.
Scott J. (Scott9843)
1 year ago
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That, is awesome.
 
Chrissy
Chrissy (blondiestlouis)
1 year ago
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Dolphins are amazing
 
hauler
hauler
1 year ago
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Amazing story that ended well in the end thanks to the wonderful dolphin!
 
Jamie
Jamie (Sadiesmygirl)
1 year ago
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They say that everyone has a guardian angel watching over them, I guess in Todd's case it was guardian dolphins.
 
berniem
berniem
1 year ago
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dolphins are truely a wonderful mammal. thy saved his life.
 
Jill l.
Jill l. (JilLynn)
1 year ago
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Happy to hear he is doing good!
 
ruthie
ruthie (ruthiegirl66)
1 year ago
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Dolphins are the Dogs of the water world, intelligent, friendly, loyal, giving and protective.
 
David R.
David R. (Wally)
1 year ago
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Dolphins are a truly benevolent and intelligent species.
 
Carryl D.
Carryl D. (carryld)
1 year ago
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Geez..those dolphins are amazing..I think they are repaying us for not catching them in tuna nets any more....or so they say.
 
Ashlee S.
Ashlee S. (ashleerdh)
1 year ago
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Not sure I could get back out there!!! He's very lucky!!!!
 
chili1zz
chili1zz
1 year ago
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god was watching over him and sent the dolphines one luck guy
 
Robin P.
Robin P. (RobinPagano)
1 year ago
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I still think swimming pools are great. You can drown anywhere, but you won't get attacked by sharks in a swimming pool. Get a skate board or snowboard instead.
 
Lynn C.
Lynn C. (Lynn1)
1 year ago
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Dolphins are known to be highly intelligent animals, capable of affection and displays of caring behavior. The dolphins appear to have risked their own lives to save this young man, which is a wonderful testament to the kind of animals they are. I wonder if we can return the favor by stopping dolphin's deaths in tuna nets?
 
mARY ANN M.
mARY ANN M. (foxflower)
1 year ago
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I understand this is something that dolphins will do. They are truely remarkable animals that show understanding, intelligence and empathy rather than using their intelligence purely for instinct and self survival or survival of their own species.

This is yet another incredible story about this remarkable mammal.
 
Kim
Kim (norswl1)
1 year ago
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love the good stories! keep them coming!
 
Hughie
Hughie
1 year ago
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Dolphins are so smart and so protective of humans and other animals in danger.
 
Lizzie
Lizzie (lilfraz16)
1 year ago
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the video is sooooooo grapic!!!


watchers beware
 
jdarunner
jdarunner
1 year ago
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omg, i watched the video and he was really injured!
 
jdarunner
jdarunner
1 year ago
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outch!!! that would hurt sooooooooo bad!!!........... i so glad the dolphins were there to save him!!!!!!!!!!
 
Mara Jo S.
Mara Jo S. (MaraJo)
1 year ago
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once again, another story of how Dolphins have come o the rescue of humans who are in trouble while in the water.
 
Mitchell O.
Mitchell O. (mitchello2003)
1 year ago
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thank god for dolphis dude
 
Dylyn H.
Dylyn H. (cheerleaderm82)
1 year ago
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This is an amazing story. Lucky for him that the Dolphins were there! =]
 
I wish people were as nice and caring as animals.
 
Sharon L.
Sharon L. (SharonLinch)
1 year ago
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Doesn't it just blow your mind! Animals can be more caring than many people.
 
Adriana C.
Adriana C. (AdrianaLMST)
1 year ago
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I love dolphins. <3
 
Emily
Emily (emcewen)
1 year ago
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I love dolphins! this is the second story I have read today that proves these are the worlds best creatures!
 
Patty B.
Patty B. (patbow)
1 year ago
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I always feel safe when I see dolphins in the water.
 
Barbara K.
Barbara K. (Ishbish)
1 year ago
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Dolphins have shown amazing caregiving qualities!
 
Ryane
Ryane
1 year ago
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dude dolphines are crazy wsome man!
 
D. Rene
D. Rene (mooredr3)
1 year ago
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Good story -- he is very lucky!
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