First sharks, then orcas…now it’s the dolphins’ turn. A pod of dolphins has been biting and ramming swimmers in a series of beach attacks in Japan with four swimmers reportedly injured on Sunday alone. Officials have now posted signs warning swimmers against approaching the animal or even going into the water if there’s a sighting.
Bottlenose dolphins can measure up to 14 feet long and generally travel in pods up to 100-strong. These mammals are generally considered playful and relatively harmless. So why are they suddenly terrorizing swimmers? Marine life experts say that swimming alongside humans can be “incredibly stressful” to dolphins, especially if they’re trying to protect their young. So, if you see fins while splish-splashing in the water, it’s best to give the sea creatures their space.
Source: Stuff