Dolphins band together into a raft to support their dying friend

Dolphins have been accused of being as cliquey as a pack a teenage girls, but like their human counterparts, they're capable of extreme kindness, too. And sometimes the display can be heartbreaking. In the Sea of Japan, researchers studying a group of 400 dolphins came upon a smaller pod trying to aid a distressed female, keeping her afloat by diving and supporting from below. The revolving "life raft" kept up the dolphin CPR for several minutes before the paralyzed member finally stopped breathing and sank into the water. Researchers say what appeared to be empathy and altruism might simply have been social bonding and self-preservation, but it's much more uplifting (and human) to attach a caring motive. [Source]

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