A sexually frustrated, lonely dolphin may be behind attacks on humans in Japan over three years

A lonely and amorous dolphin in search of a mate may be behind a spate of attacks on humans in some Central Japan beaches, according to some experts. 

Some others feel that the dolphin that has been overexposed to people could be reacting after some bad encounters with them in the past, and trying to be defensive to bathers and swimmers in Fukui prefecture beaches.

Suzu, the bottle-nosed dolphin, has been identified as the possible culprit behind several attacks on humans because of the unique injuries on its tail fin were seen in several places over the last three years where attacks were reported.

Suzu is used to human exposure, and what starts as coos has ended as screams for several beachgoers.

Dozens of people have been attacked in Fukui prefecture, mostly since 2022.

They've been "bumped, bitten and sexually harassed", by Suzu, according to a report in The Times.

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Last week alone, there were two attacks off the tiny island of Mizushima, including a man whose fingertip was bitten off, said the report.

In the past couple of years, the coast guard in the area has set up warning signs for dolphin attacks. One such poster from 2022 said: "Even though they may look cute, dolphins are still wild animals...If you see a dolphin at the beach, do not touch them, do not approach them, get out of the water and enjoy your time safely!”

This year, the Mihama town in Fukui warned that the dolphin/ or dolphins, “can bite you with their sharp teeth and cause you to bleed, or… drag you into the sea, which could be life-threatening”.

This summer alone, 18 people were injured. That included a school student whose finger required at least 20 stitches, BBC said in a report.

In 2023, six people were injured, up from one attack in 2022.

"It is reasonable to assume that it is the same individual, as the wounds on the tail fin are similar to those of the dolphins seen off the coast last year, and it is rare for dolphins, which normally move in groups, to be alone for such a long time," Prof Morisaka told NHK, Japan's public broadcaster. He noted that male bottlenose dolphins communicate by "play-biting" each other, which is the dolphins' way of communication with people too.

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BBC cited Dr Simon Allen, a biologist and principal investigator with the Shark Bay Dolphin Research project as saying: "Bottlenose dolphins are highly social animals and this sociality can be expressed in very physical ways."

"Just as in humans and other social animals, hormonal fluctuations, sexual frustration or the desire to dominate might drive the dolphin to injuring the people it interacts with. Since they are such powerful animals, this can lead to serious injury in humans," he said.

Dr Allen said the dolphin may have been "ostracised from its own community and be seeking alternative companionship".

 
(With inputs from agencies)