Dolphin rescues stricken whales off New Zealand

Witnesses say a dolphin swam up to two distressed whales that appeared headed for death in a beach stranding in New Zealand and guided them to safety.

The actions of the bottlenose dolphin – named Moko – amazed would-be rescuers and an expert who said they were evidence of the species' friendly nature.

Conservation department worker Malcolm Smith said the two pygmy sperm whales, a mother and her calf, were found stranded on Mahia Beach, about 300 miles northeast of the capital, Wellington.

Rescuers tried to get the whales back into the water, only to see them strand themselves four times on a sandbar.

Moko then led the whales 200 yards along the beach and through a channel out to the open sea.