In Wakasa Bay, Japan, authorities have implemented strict security measures, but not for the usual reason. Instead of guarding against sharks, they’re focused on a single dolphin that has been attacking swimmers. This lone, sexually frustrated dolphin is believed to be responsible for a rise in attacks on beachgoers, with 18 people injured this year alone. Among the victims is a primary school child who required 20 stitches after a severe bite.
Local experts are convinced that the same dolphin is behind all the attacks. Tadamichi Morisaka, a cetology professor at Mie University, pointed out that the distinctive wounds on the dolphin’s tail fin match those seen in previous years. It’s unusual for dolphins, typically social animals, to be isolated for extended periods, further suggesting that this is a solitary, troubled dolphin.
Marine biologists have weighed in on the possible reasons behind the dolphin’s aggressive behavior. Dr. Simon Allen from the Shark Bay Dolphin Research project explained that bottlenose dolphins, being highly social creatures, sometimes exhibit physical expressions of social frustration, especially if they’re isolated or experiencing hormonal changes. This could lead the dolphin to attack humans in an attempt to assert dominance or seek companionship. Another expert, Dr. Matthias Hoffmann-Kuhnt from the National University of Singapore, suggested that the dolphin’s aggression might be defensive, as humans often unknowingly invade the animal’s space.
Authorities in Mihama, a coastal town near Wakasa Bay, have put up warning signs to alert the public about the dangers posed by the dolphin. These signs caution that the dolphin can “bite you with their sharp teeth and cause you to bleed,” and even “drag you into the sea, which could be life-threatening.” The situation serves as a reminder that while dolphins are often seen as friendly, their interactions with humans can sometimes turn dangerous, as evidenced by past incidents, such as the case of a dolphin in Brazil that injured 22 people in 1994.
