A surfer in California was under attack from a great white shark when a pod of bottlenose dolphins intervened, pushing the shark away and forming a protective ring around him, until he could get to shore.

"No one knows why dolphins protect humans, but stories of the marine mammals rescuing humans go back to ancient Greece, according to the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society."

The society told MSNBC that one year ago in New Zealand four lifeguards were saved from sharks in the same way Todd Endris was — by dolphins forming a protective ring.

(WATCH the interview with Todd below from MSNBC)