Lonely Dolphin Sparks Panic in Japan, Injures 18 Swimmers Including Child

A solitary dolphin has been causing turmoil in Japan’s coastal areas, with 18 reported injuries resulting from dolphin attacks near Mihama this year. The situation escalated when a young child suffered severe finger injuries, requiring 20 stitches. Authorities are cautioning beachgoers about the potential danger, noting that the dolphin’s sharp teeth can inflict serious wounds and potentially drag swimmers into deeper waters. Though dolphin attacks are uncommon, these marine mammals can become aggressive if they feel threatened.

Tadamichi Morisaka, a cetologist at Mie University, has linked the bite marks on a man’s fingers at Mihama beach to a 2.5-meter-long dolphin spotted off Fukui province last year. In an interview with NHK, Morisaka explained, “The wound patterns on the tail fin are consistent with those of dolphins seen previously, and it is unusual for dolphins, which typically travel in groups, to remain solitary for extended periods. They are not intentionally harming people but are likely communicating in their own way.”

Ryoichi Matsubara, director of Echizen Matsushima Aquarium in Fukui, has reviewed footage of dolphin attacks from 2022 and 2023 and suspects that the same Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin might be involved. Matsubara, who has not yet seen footage of the latest attacks, speculates that the dolphin’s behavior may be related to mating rituals. In recent years, the dolphin has been observed pressing its body against people, and many attacks occurred when individuals got too close or attempted to touch it.

Dr. Simon Allen, a biologist and principal investigator with the Shark Bay Dolphin Research project, noted that bottlenose dolphins are highly social animals, and their social behaviors can sometimes be expressed in physical ways. “Hormonal fluctuations, sexual frustration, or dominance drives might influence the dolphin’s aggressive behavior. Given their strength, these interactions can result in serious injuries,” he said.

In a similar case from 1994, a dolphin in brazil named Tiao attacked two swimmers who attempted to ride it, resulting in one fatality and one injury. This dolphin had previously been implicated in attacks on at least 22 people.