FUKUI, Jul 24 (News On Japan) - A 'biting dolphin' has reappeared at a Fukui Prefecture beach this year, injuring a junior high school student. Cameras captured footage of the dolphin swimming in the same waters.
Footage taken on July 21st at Tsuruga beach in Fukui Prefecture shows a dolphin approaching as if it had found a friend. On the same day, an incident occurred.
A witness at the same beach commented, 'The dolphin was about 3 meters long.'
A 13-year-old junior high school boy visiting with his family was bitten on the right hand by the dolphin, resulting in an injury.
Another witness at the beach said, 'It came to shallow waters about 30 centimeters deep and seemed very friendly.'
In fact, dolphin bite incidents have been occurring in Fukui Prefecture since the year before last.
Last year, at another beach:
Beach Announcement: 'A dolphin has been spotted. Do not approach or touch it.'
A dolphin appeared right next to people swimming in the sea. A 62-year-old man swimming at the time was rammed by the dolphin, suffering broken ribs.
Additionally, two years ago, a dolphin appeared at a beach in Fukui City and other locations. At least 20 people were bitten and injured.
Is the dolphin that bit the junior high schooler this time the same one from previous incidents?
Professor Tsukasa Murayama from Tokai University's Faculty of Marine Science commented, 'Normally, dolphins do not bite people. It is possible that the same individual is doing this every year.'
Professor Murayama further explained, 'It is likely a dolphin that has developed a certain 'habit.' Because it is accustomed to humans, it might be playfully nipping at them. From the dolphin's perspective, it is amusing because people react loudly when bitten. The best approach is to avoid getting close and wait until the dolphin forgets this behavior.'
Source: ANN
