A lone and possibly sexually frustrated dolphin has been blamed for a series of attacks on swimmers in the seaside town of Mihama, Japan, leaving authorities on high alert. According to BBC, the bottlenose dolphin is suspected to be behind 18 attacks this year with one child requiring 20 stitches after a particularly severe bite.
Last year, six people were injured in similar incidents, including one swimmer who suffered broken ribs.Despite dolphins’ friendly reputation, the surge in attacks has officials warning that these mammals can be dangerous. “They can bite you with their sharp teeth and cause you to bleed, or drag you into the sea, which could be life-threatening,” said local authorities.
Dolphin attacks are rare but can be deadly. In 1994, a dolphin in Brazil named Tião killed one swimmer and injured another after they tried to ride it. Experts believe the dolphin had previously harmed at least 22 people.
The dolphin involved in the recent Japanese incidents was identified by its dorsal fin, which has distinctive notches and pigmentation, like a fingerprint. Tadamichi Morisaka, a cetology professor at Japan’s Mie University, said the same dolphin was spotted last year off the coast of Fukui Province. “It is reasonable to assume that it is the same individual, as the wounds on the tail fin are similar to those seen off the coast last year,” Prof Morisaka noted that dolphins, which typically travel in groups, rarely remain solitary for extended periods.
Morisaka explained that male bottlenose dolphins often communicate through “play-biting“, suggesting the animal may not intend to harm humans but is using its natural behaviour to interact with people. However, other experts believe sexual frustration or defensive behaviour could be behind the attacks.
Dr Simon Allen, a biologist with the Shark Bay Dolphin Research Project, suggested that hormonal changes or social isolation may be causing the dolphin to lash out. “Since they are such powerful animals, this can lead to serious injury in humans,” he said.
Dr Matthias Hoffmann-Kuhnt, a marine mammal expert, added that the dolphin may be acting in self-defence when humans approach too closely or attempt to interact improperly. He also suggested that the dolphin may have had a previous negative experience with a human, causing it to react aggressively. “They have good memory, similar to elephants who will remember who mistreated them before,” he said.
Last year, six people were injured in similar incidents, including one swimmer who suffered broken ribs.Despite dolphins’ friendly reputation, the surge in attacks has officials warning that these mammals can be dangerous. “They can bite you with their sharp teeth and cause you to bleed, or drag you into the sea, which could be life-threatening,” said local authorities.
Dolphin attacks are rare but can be deadly. In 1994, a dolphin in Brazil named Tião killed one swimmer and injured another after they tried to ride it. Experts believe the dolphin had previously harmed at least 22 people.
The dolphin involved in the recent Japanese incidents was identified by its dorsal fin, which has distinctive notches and pigmentation, like a fingerprint. Tadamichi Morisaka, a cetology professor at Japan’s Mie University, said the same dolphin was spotted last year off the coast of Fukui Province. “It is reasonable to assume that it is the same individual, as the wounds on the tail fin are similar to those seen off the coast last year,” Prof Morisaka noted that dolphins, which typically travel in groups, rarely remain solitary for extended periods.
Morisaka explained that male bottlenose dolphins often communicate through “play-biting“, suggesting the animal may not intend to harm humans but is using its natural behaviour to interact with people. However, other experts believe sexual frustration or defensive behaviour could be behind the attacks.
Dr Simon Allen, a biologist with the Shark Bay Dolphin Research Project, suggested that hormonal changes or social isolation may be causing the dolphin to lash out. “Since they are such powerful animals, this can lead to serious injury in humans,” he said.
Dr Matthias Hoffmann-Kuhnt, a marine mammal expert, added that the dolphin may be acting in self-defence when humans approach too closely or attempt to interact improperly. He also suggested that the dolphin may have had a previous negative experience with a human, causing it to react aggressively. “They have good memory, similar to elephants who will remember who mistreated them before,” he said.
