Some parents say the chance to swim with dolphins has changed their child's life. Withdrawn autistic children, for instance, have forged bonds that have proved difficult with human playmates.

Chris Cruz, a scuba diving instructor and trip leader was out at sea, just off of Khao Lak, north of Phuket in Thailand, with diving crews when the tsunami hit.

Download desktop wallpaper for NATURE's "The Dolphin Defender."

Today, the U.S. Navy enlists dolphins as important allies in guarding ships and searching for mines.

View additional resources, online and in print, for NATURE's "Dolphins: Close Encounters."

Every year, millions of people pay dearly to watch dolphins leap through hoops or to swim alongside as the animals glide around a pool.

In the 1950s, researchers weren't sure why dolphins produced their remarkable range of clicks, trills, moans, and squeaks.

Discover the remarkable complexity of dolphins' communication, human-like nature, and the controversy surrounding captive dolphins.