'Lonely' dolphin seeking a mate bites child, injures 18 in series of violent attacks

Dolphins are generally friendly animals who interact with humans. (Representational)

A solitary, sexually frustrated dolphin has been blamed for a series of violent attacks on swimmers in the Japanese seaside town of Mihama, leading to widespread fear and concern. The bottlenose dolphin, which has been linked to 18 attacks so far this year, is suspected to be lashing out due to a combination of loneliness and pent-up sexual frustration.

The situation escalated after a young child’s finger was severely bitten, requiring at least 20 stitches. Local authorities issued urgent warnings against interacting with dolphins, who they said can attack with their sharp teeth, and can even drag you into the sea.

This solitary dolphin's aggression is not an isolated phenomenon. Last year, six people were injured in similar attacks, with one swimmer suffering broken ribs. Another individual was also hurt in 2022. Despite their generally friendly reputation, dolphins have been known to exhibit dangerous behaviour. In 1994, a dolphin in Brazil named Tião attacked two swimmers, killing one and injuring the other, after having reportedly injured 22 people before that.

Experts believe that the same dolphin is responsible for multiple attacks last year after matched the dorsal fin in both cases. Tadamichi Morisaka, a cetology professor at Mie University, pointed out the unique notches and pigmentation on the dolphin's dorsal fin, which were consistent with a 2.5-meter-long dolphin observed last year.

“It’s likely the same individual,” Professor Morisaka told NHK. “Dolphins usually move in groups, so it's unusual for one to be alone for such a long period.”

Professor Morisaka suggested that the dolphin’s behavior might be a form of "play-biting," a natural way dolphins communicate with each other. However, other experts believe that the dolphin’s actions may be driven by more complex factors.

Dr. Simon Allen, a biologist with the Shark Bay Dolphin Research project, theorised that the dolphin's aggression could stem from sexual frustration or a desire to assert dominance. “Bottlenose dolphins are highly social animals, and their sociality can sometimes manifest in physical ways,” Dr. Allen told BBC. “Hormonal fluctuations or sexual frustration might be driving this dolphin to injure people.”

There’s also the possibility that the dolphin may have had a negative encounter with humans in the past, leading it to project that hostility onto others.

As the attacks continue, authorities of the seaside town urge swimmers to exercise extreme caution.