Daring Animal Rescues: People Risking Their Lives For Dogs, Bears, Dolphins And More (PHOTOS)

What some find silly others don't think twice about. When an animal is in danger, people will go to heroic lengths to rescue them. In fact, a majority of people say they would risk their lives for their pets.

From famous animal crusaders like Ric O'Barry to local firefighters, here are examples of people risking it all for not only their own pets, but animals they've never seen before, and even wild animals. Would you do the same for an animal in distress?

1 of 8

Wildlife Officer Rescues Drowning Bear

1 of 9

First Slide

Previous Slide

@

When a bear shot with a tranquilizer dart bolted into the water by a Florida neighborhood, it wasn’t long before it began to struggle against the effects of the dart. When wildlife biologist Adam Warwick saw what was happening, he raced into the water after the 375-pound bear and pulled him to safety. The bear was later released into a preserve.

Climate Impacts Day: 350.org Campaign Connects The Dots Between Extreme Weather And Climate Change

The World Begins to 'Connect the Dots'

gadgets/slideshows/223989/slide_223989_930216_small.jpg

Tornado In France: F1 Storm Touches Down South Of Toulouse (VIDEOS)

Gulf Oil Spill Anniversary: Spills Around The World Since Deepwater Horizon

Green Festival 2012: Fostering Community And Sustainability In New York City And Beyond

Earth Day 2012: Harder to See, Harder to Catch

When a bear shot with a tranquilizer dart bolted into the water by a Florida neighborhood, it wasn’t long before it began to struggle against the effects of the dart.

When wildlife biologist Adam Warwick saw what was happening, he raced into the water after the 375-pound bear and pulled him to safety. The bear was later released into a preserve.

comments(445)

Total comments: 445 | Post a Comment

1 of 9

Risky Rescue

Rank #2  |  Average: 4

Crazy Heroic

• 
  1
• 
  2
• 
  3
• 
  4
• 
  5
• 
  6
• 
  7
• 
  8
• 
  9
• 
  10

Top Rescues

loading...

Top Rescues

UserName

 | Become a fan

Picked These as the Top 5 Slides in the Slideshow

loading...

Top User Slides

← Prev|Next →

 | Become a fan

Picked These as the Top 5 Slides in the Slideshow

loading...

Users who voted on this slide

← Prev|Next →

loading...

Comments

[vmlinux]

12:43 PM on 12/08/2010

Good thing for the animals in this story that their meat isn't tasty :P

[Joy Farrell]

11:44 AM on 12/08/2010

would do everything i could to save any of my pets or any other animal in danger. those rescuers are rock stars and heroes to me. thank you

[CharmsDad]

06:51 AM on 11/22/2010

I teach Pet First Aid for the Red Cross. While I have taken risks on many occasions to save an animal I would like to remind people to use some discretion when attempting to help an animal (or person) in need. If it is an animal or situation you are not experienced or equipped to deal with be careful that you do not make the situation worse by attempting to help. It is one thing to take a risk that is reasonable and calculated, and there may be times to take a risk that is more extreme, but please try and keep your wits about you and know when it is better to call for help and monitor the situation until someone better trained and equipped arrives.

[Edward Standley]

10:03 PM on 11/15/2010

When I saw the ranger in the water with the bear I thought that, regrettably, I'd have to let that opportunity to do good pass. Not quite enough Tarzan in me. I got a lot more brave upon reading that the bear was tranquilized and in danger of drowning. Yay! I've got some hero in me after all!

[JessCostello]

03:48 PM on 11/15/2010

Next Sally Field movie "Not without my Beagle!"

[lynettema]

11:49 PM on 11/14/2010

Last Tues I "rescued" a Husky from an island (surrounded by water on 3 sides). She couldn't figure out how to get off. I walked about 1/2 mile through woods, scaled dikes to get her. I'm 66 and have one bad knee. But I made it and the dog was happy. I did my best Ceasar impression to get her to come to me. I love animals and knew this dog was in trouble. It's owner isn't letting her "run" the neighborhood anymore. At least I hope not.

[CharmsDad]

06:24 AM on 11/22/2010

Well done. Thank you for saving that dog.

[blueplano]

12:23 PM on 11/14/2010

My pet peeve is when there is a turtle trying to cross the road and no one stops - I always stop and make sure that he is safely far off the road - I even did a u-turn on the highway once and rescued a turtle with on-coming 18-wheelers.........they all moved the the far lane to make sure that I saved him - then I drove to the DFW Veteran's cemetary (located in a wildlife area with lakes and ponds) and released him in a pond, which also gave me the opportunity to visit my husband's grave........

[davidgoldmandg]

12:07 AM on 11/14/2010

Nice all. Can we add some slides to this?

[RachelMc]

06:32 PM on 11/13/2010

"the firefighter who performed the rescue said an unskilled person may have risked his life to rescue the dog if nothing was done. "
Thats true, never thought of it that way.

[CharmsDad]

06:27 AM on 11/22/2010

I'm glad they rescued the dog. The firefighters make that choice. I would not require a firefighter, or anyone else, to risk their life this way but I also take issue with anyone that objects to the use of rescue resources when the rescuers are willing to take this risk at their own discretion.

[zippitydoo]

02:47 PM on 11/13/2010

Yes, I would!

[Pennsanic]

01:32 PM on 11/13/2010

Did anybody see the Netherlands horse rescue a few years ago? It was fantastic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8iSYMkFO2A

[Edy Williams]

08:20 PM on 11/12/2010

they should end the 11a.m t.v show on shotgunning down the elegant bucks with their antlers proudly up! what Grief is that teaching.?.and the sloppy,gruffy,unshaven thugs ,laughing as the deer struggles for his final breathing,gazing at his beloved Doe. these are worthless people. No Values,No morals.They oughta be shot & find out how it feels! The network should be shamed,at a childrens hour. What does it teach them of shotguns.?Edy Williams

[JeanRR]

05:02 PM on 11/13/2010

"Gazing at his beloved doe'? How anthropomorphic can you gt? You don't know much about deer do you? And BTW I am not a hunter.

[goodnamestaken]

11:34 PM on 11/13/2010

You don't think animals have bonds? Ever heard of swans, etc.? How ignorant can you get?

[ScottSutton]

07:35 PM on 11/12/2010

That dude who rescued the bear can rescue me.......naked........

[Lance Manling]

03:43 PM on 11/12/2010

This dude rescued this bear???? I am impressed.

[ThinkCreeps]

05:04 AM on 11/12/2010

Now, lifesaving a tranquilized bear is rather safer than trying it with a live one. The man's clearly not insane.

[Shastafari]

07:55 AM on 11/12/2010

still pretty darn hefty! even wet. ha

[ThinkCreeps]

11:43 AM on 11/12/2010

The risk is that if the guy demonstrates that bears float, a quarter of the US population will think they're witches.