This wild dolphin keeps attacking swimmers and no one knows why

Dolphins are intelligent and compassionate animals who are known for their friendliness. But did you know they can attack and bite people? This is exactly what happened at Koshino Beach near the western Japanese city of Fukui.

Not an isolated incident

Local Japanese outlet Fukishimbun Online reported a string of animal attacks on swimmers this summer. The most surprising thing was that the culprits weren't sharks but what appeared to be the same dolphin. Its latest victims, two men in their 40s, were bitten six hours apart just a few days ago.

The first incident occurred in the morning, with a man being left with injuries to both arms. The savage dolphin sunk its teeth into the fingers of a second man’s left hand in the afternoon. Both men were taken to the hospital.

The latest attacks took place at Koshino Beach in the western Japanese city of Fukui. It is a popular destination for swimmers and is known for frequent sightings of dolphins.

It is not currently clear what species of dolphin was involved in the attack, BBC News writes. The common types found near the waters of Japan include bottlenose dolphins, striped dolphins, and Risso's dolphins.

Japanese officials installed ultrasonic transmitters along the beach, in a bid to deter dolphins from the area.

Is it normal for dolphins to bite people?

Dolphins are intelligent and social creatures. But they are still powerful and potentially dangerous wild animals with sharp teeth, and their behaviour can be unpredictable.

Dolphin attacks, both in captivity and in the wild, are not unheard of.

In 2019, two dolphins attacked a 10-year-old British girl at a 'swimming with dolphins' experience in Cancun, Mexico, biting and dragging her underwater, leaving her with cuts, bruises and bite marks. In April 2022, a 23-year-old dolphin that had spent his entire life in captivity attempted to drown his female trainer, according to Newsweek.

How to stay safe when you encounter a dolphin?

Don’t make loud noisesor come too close to a wild dolphin when you spot one. Keep children from touching the animal. The marine mammal can feel threatened and react badly. It can attempt to push you into deeper water, head-jerk, and bite, causing broken bones, skin abrasions, and other injuries. Keep in mind, that there are certain body parts dolphins don't like to be touched, like the tip of their nose and their back fin.

Read more:

⋙ Female orgasm: Dolphin and women's clitorises have this in common

⋙ Shark attacks prey a few meters away from swimmers (VIDEOS)

⋙ This 8-year-old boy was mauled by sharks while swimming in the Bahamas