Dolphins, intelligent marine mammals, captivate with their playful and curious nature. These creatures are widely viewed positively, associated with stories of friendliness and aid to humans. Despite this amiable perception, interactions between humans and dolphins can raise concerns, prompting questions about their wild behavior.
How Many Dolphin Attacks Occur?
Dolphin attacks on humans are exceptionally rare. While direct, unprovoked attacks resulting in serious injury or death are incredibly scarce, incidents of aggressive behavior like biting, ramming, or harassment are more frequent, yet uncommon. Between 1990 and 2020, approximately 50 confirmed reports of dolphins targeting humans were recorded, primarily in regions such as the United States, Brazil, Britain, and Australia. Tracking such incidents is challenging; differentiating between minor interactions, like nips or bumps, and serious injuries is important. For example, a 1994 incident in Brazil involved a man’s death from internal injuries after being rammed by a dolphin, and a 2013 event in Ireland led to a woman suffering a damaged lung and multiple fractures.
Why Do Dolphins Attack?
Despite their peaceful reputation, dolphins can exhibit aggression, often triggered by human actions or perceived threats. Aggressive behavior often stems from stress induced by human harassment, such as attempting to touch, feed, or corner them. When dolphins associate humans with food, they can lose natural wariness and become pushy or aggressive if food is not provided. Dolphins are also protective of their young; mothers may react defensively if they perceive a threat to their calves.
Territorial disputes or competition for resources, especially during feeding, can also lead to aggressive behaviors like biting or ramming. Dolphins might misinterpret human actions, perceiving them as threats or invitations to play that become too rough due to their size and strength. Male dolphins may also display aggression during mating season, sometimes misdirecting this behavior towards humans, or engage in rough play that can result in injuries. Aggressive acts by dolphins are almost always a response to human provocation, stress, or misbehavior rather than inherent aggression.
How to Interact Safely with Dolphins
Safe interaction with dolphins requires responsible practices that prioritize their well-being and human safety. Maintaining an important distance is recommended, with federal guidelines suggesting at least 50 yards (approximately 45 meters) away to prevent stress and disruption of natural behaviors like feeding, nursing, or resting. Feeding wild dolphins is illegal; habituation alters their natural foraging behaviors, makes them dependent on humans for food, and can lead to aggressive begging if expectations are not met.
Never attempt to touch or pet dolphins, even if they approach closely, as their delicate skin can be disturbed by physical contact, leading to an adverse reaction. Avoiding chasing, cornering, or encircling dolphins with boats or by swimming is important, as these actions cause significant stress and can force them to abandon important habitats. If a dolphin approaches, remain calm, minimize movement and noise, and slowly back away to avoid startling or overwhelming the animal. Treating dolphins as wild animals, rather than pets, is important for promoting safe and respectful encounters.