7 Animals that are More Heroic than You

Wild or domestic, we know animals are capable of amazing things. These seven stories of amazing animal bravery are sure to make your jaw drop and your tail wag!

1. No Monkey Business

dailymail.co.uk / Via chicago.cbslocal.com

Binti Jua, a gorilla at the Brookfield Zoo, illustrates the power of maternal instinct. In 1996 a little boy fell into the Brookfield Zoo’s Gorilla enclosure and became unconscious. Binti Jua, an orphan gorilla raised by humans, and a new mother herself, ran to the rescue. Onlookers captured Binti picking up and cradling the boy and taking him to the enclosure entrance where rescuers were ready to assist. The boy survived and Binti was hailed a hero. Swahili for daughter of sunshine, Binti Jua sure does live up to her name.

2. Big Belly, Big Heart

Annie O'Neill / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (4/9/2002) / Via old.post-gazette.com

Pretty intelligent pig! Here’s a story of compassion, love, and dedication from a pig. Owner Jo Ann Altsman, home alone with her pet pig Lulu, had a sudden heart attack and was rendered unable to get help. Rather than panic, Lulu squeezed her way through the doggy door, managed to open the gate, and laid on the road until a passerby stopped to assist. It took many attempts, but when a driver finally stopped, Lulu lead him to Jo Ann where help was called, and her life saved. Jo Ann reflects on the event in awe of her pet pot belly pig, reporting that Lulu had cried “big fat tears,” (Fuoco, 2002) knew that Jo Ann was in distress, and would stop it nothing to save her.

3. Elephant vs. Tsunami

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Eight year old Amber, on a vacation with her family in Thailand, was riding on the back of Ning Nong on the beach as she did every morning of her vacation. Despite experiencing a small earthquake, Amber continued to ride Ning Nong not knowing that a huge tsunami was about to hit. Ning Nong reacted otherwise and refused to move toward the beach. It was the crashing waves and sudden receding tide that confirmed Ning Nong’s instincts to move away from the beach. Moments later the tsunami hit and Ning Nong and Amber were surrounded by hostile waters. Ning Nong moved inland with Amber on his back, wedged himself between a stone wall, and allowed Amber to climb to safety. Both the elephant and the girl survived the catastrophe.

4. Purrfect Story

Greg Wood/AFP / Getty Images / Via theguardian.com

Ethiopian police rescued a 12 year old girl after she was found being protected by lions from a group of kidnappers. "They stood guard [for half a day] until [police and family] found her and then they just left her like a gift,"said Sergeant Wondimu Wendaju inKefa province. The men had been holding the young girl captive in the remote region until the lions heard the whimpering of the child and moved into protect her. Often these young girls are raped and severely beaten to force them to accept the marriage," he said. The little girls was treated for cuts that resulted from the beatings.

5. Whale of a Tale

Caters News Agency / Via mirror.co.uk

A snorkeler was diving in the Cook Islands when a Tiger shark appears on the scene (Check out the video at about the 20 second mark, click url below picture). The humpback whale went into protector mode and moves the swimmer to safety under its fin. The whale even lifts the swimmer out of the water at one point. The incredible video can be seen in the link below picture.

6. Shell-Shocked

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When Candelaria Villanueva’s ship from the Philippines caught fire and sank in the ocean, Villanueva was left stranded to float in her life jacket. After 12 hours lost at sea, Villanueva felt a giant sea turtle swim beneath her. The turtle remained with Villanueva for two days, helping her to remain afloat until search and rescue crews were able to find her. The turtle continued to swim around the Navy search team until Villanueva was safely aboard.

7. Ruff-er than Fire

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In 2017, Odin the dog took his day to day ranch responsibilities to a whole new level. Despite desperate pleading from his family to leave as a wildfire rapidly approached the family’s California ranch, Odin stayed behind to care for a group of bottle fed goats. After the wildfire passed, the family returned home, already mourning the loss of Odin. Surprisingly enough, they reunited with Odin, singed but otherwise healthy, sitting with each and every goat in addition to a handful of baby deer who also found protection from the flames thanks to Odin.