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‘Lonely’ dolphin blamed for leaving bathers bloodied in Japan

Eighteen people have been injured by what is believed to be a single dolphin, which experts said might be acting out due to loneliness

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‘Lonely’ dolphin blamed for attacking beach goers in Japan

‘Lonely’ dolphin blamed for attacking beach goers in Japan
A spate of attacks on beach goers in Japan’s Fukui Prefecture has been blamed on a single dolphin that marine biologists believe is acting out due to loneliness and an inability to find a mate.
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Eighteen people have so far been injured in apparently unprovoked attacks by the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin off beaches in the town of Tsuruga.

One of the most shocking attacks was caught in a video clip broadcast by the Fuji News Network channel. Filmed on the morning of August 20 at Mizushima beach, the dolphin’s dorsal fin can be seen cutting through the water towards a child in a yellow life jacket who is trying to get out of the way.

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The life jacket makes a series of jerky movements as onlookers on the beach shout and a man in the water starts to go to the child’s rescue. Other swimmers leave the water or take refuge on a floating pontoon.

【独自】子どもがイルカに襲われる瞬間…海水浴場に鳴り響く悲鳴 両手かじられ血だらけ…救出に当たった50代男性ケガ 福井

The man who went to help the child sustained minor injuries, FNN reported, but the boy’s hands were bleeding profusely by the time he reached the beach. The child required 30 stitches and his injuries are expected to take a month to fully heal.

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