While wild dolphins causing harm to humans are relatively rare compared to instances of aggression in captivity, recent reports from Japan reveal multiple incidents of dolphins attacking and injuring swimmers. These incidents highlight unexpected cases of dolphin aggression towards humans, surpassing the more commonly associated concerns with shark encounters or orca incidents.
Dolphin Attacks in Japan
BBC News reports a shocking case of a man in his 60s being bitten on his hands and suffering broken ribs during a dolphin encounter last Sunday, July 16, a few meters off Suishohama beach in the town of Mihama, Fukui prefecture.
Another man in his 40s experienced arm bites in a separate incident on the same beach, while two additional people were injured by dolphins later in the day.
As per the report, local police in Fukui have reported a total of six attacks by marine mammals this year. To ensure safety, authorities have erected signs instructing swimmers to refrain from approaching or making contact with the animals.
In 2022, there was a series of dolphin attacks reported in the region. According to Vice, tourism and aquarium operators in the area expressed surprise, as they had not encountered dolphin-related complaints before.
The incidents were believed to be caused by a solitary dolphin, as suggested by eyewitnesses. Video footage captured during that period depicted a dolphin circling two swimmers and appearing to forcefully collide with one of them.
When Dolphins Become Aggressive
Contrary to the popular perception of dolphins as friendly and playful creatures, incidents of dolphin attacks have been documented in the past. Bottlenose dolphins, known for their intelligence, have been observed displaying aggression towards other cetaceans.
Instances of aggressive behavior by dolphins off the coast of Ireland were reported nearly ten years ago, suggesting that factors such as constant human interaction or being in a state of heat may contribute to their aggression.
According to NOAA Fisheries, wild dolphins may attack and bite humans when they feel angry, frustrated, or afraid. Swimming close to dolphins can cause them stress, and feeding them can alter their behavior, leading to pushiness, aggression, and threats when they do not receive expected handouts. The agency emphasizes the importance of treating dolphins as wild animals that require caution and respect.
However, it is crucial to consider the factors that may provoke dolphins to attack humans. Yahoo! highlighted overfishing, which has negatively impacted dolphin populations, and human-dolphin relations have become strained. Reports of incidents where swimmers harassed and confined pods of spinner dolphins, protected species under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, have also emerged.
Additionally, dolphins have been tragically affected by human conflicts, such as the use of dolphins in warfare leading to casualties in Ukraine. Sonar disruptions and underwater explosions have posed threats to dolphins' hunting abilities.
Dolphins kept in captivity can also exhibit aggression, possibly triggered by factors such as limited space, poor diets, and perceived provocation. Critics argue that aquariums with dolphin enclosures contribute to these aggressive interactions.
Past incidents, like a 2012 case where a dolphin at SeaWorld bit a child at a feeding enclosure, have fueled concerns about the impact of captivity on dolphin behavior.
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