Random Surprising Animal Heroes Who Changed Human Lives (15 items)

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  (#11) Joy The Sea Otter Helped Raise Orphaned Pups

  California’s Monterey Bay Aquarium is not only an awesome tourist attraction, but also operates a rehabilitation program for orphaned and abandoned sea otters, many of whom are able to be released back into the wild.

  Among the all-star members of their staff's history however, was Joy, a naturally maternal little gal who was herself abandoned as a sea otter pup. Unwilling to let her early childhood trauma get her down, however, Joy became know as the center's "super mom" and helped raise more than 20 orphaned pups before passing away at the ripe age of 14 in 2012.
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  (#7) Mila The Beluga Whale Came To A Diver's Rescue

  What could go wrong during a breath-holding competition held in frigid water full of beluga whales? Perhaps not what you'd think, as it turns out! During one such competition in China, diver Yang Yun was all good until she attempted to swim back up to the surface, only to discover that her legs had been paralyzed by the freezing temperature of the water. That's when Mila the beluga whale came to the rescue by gently taking hold of one of Yang's legs and pushing her to the surface!
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  (#5) Gimpy The Elephant Seal Defended Her Caretaker

  When she was brought into California's Marine Mammal Care Center back in 1994, Gimpy the elephant seal had just suffered an injury which left her partially blind and paralyzed. It was volunteer Hugh Ryno's kindness that helped Gimpy figure out how to readjust to her new surroundings, as well as cemented a deep friendship between the two.

  It was on the day when Hugh fell into the pool and was nearly attacked by three young male seals, however, that Gimpy really stepped up to the plate. Throwing herself between the would-be attackers and her friend, Gimpy gave the smaller males a display of her teeth while bobbing her head. The three males backed down and Hugh was able to escape their attack safely.
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  (#13) Sgt. Reckless The Warhorse Earned Multiple Medals

  After being purchased from a young Korean boy, Reckless the Warhorse joined the U.S. Marine Corps back in 1952 and quickly became an indispensable aid during the Korean War. It only took her a few walk-throughs on how to deliver ammo to the front lines to memorize the task, at which point she went on to make the trip as many as 51 times during battle - mostly by herself and under enemy fire. 

  She went on to become a decorated soldier, being awarded multiple medals such as two Purple Hearts. a Presidential Unit Citation with star, and a United Nations Service Medal, among others.
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  (#4) Bhoori The Swimming Cow Came To A Grandmother's Rescue

  During the massive floods that swept through her hometown in Pakistan, 70 year-old grandmother Zainab Bibi was swept away from her home. As she attempted to fight the floodwaters, Ms. Bibi suddenly looked over to find the family cow Bhoori, swimming through the currents beside her. Bhoori allowed the grandmother of 16 to cling to her neck as she navigated the flood and eventually led them both to safety. 
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  (#3) Ning Nong The Elephant Saved A Little Girl From Tsunami Tragedy

  When the tsunami of 2004 hit Phuket, Thailand, an eight-year-old named Amber Mason was on vacation with her family, enjoying an elephant ride. Luckily, her elephant Ning Nong sensed something wasn't right and took off away from the ocean with the girl still on his back. Even when the waves caught up to them, he continued to shield the child from the water with his body, keeping her from being swept away and quite possibly saving her life.

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