Dolphins are widely admired for their intelligence and seemingly friendly demeanor, often portrayed as gentle inhabitants of the ocean. This popular image, however, sometimes overshadows the fact that they are powerful, wild predators. Like any undomesticated animal, dolphins possess the capacity for aggression and can pose a threat to humans under specific circumstances.
Recorded Dolphin Incidents
Documented incidents of dolphins attacking humans are infrequent. Unprovoked dolphin attacks on humans are rare, with some estimates indicating around 2-3 per year worldwide. Between 1990 and 2020, approximately 50 confirmed reports of dolphins targeting humans were recorded, primarily in regions like the United States, Brazil, Britain, and Australia.
When such encounters do occur, they can result in serious injuries. Individuals have sustained broken bones, internal injuries from blunt force trauma, and deep bite marks. For instance, a 1994 incident in São Paulo, Brazil, involved a man’s death due to internal injuries after being rammed by a dolphin. Additionally, a 2013 incident off County Clare, Ireland, saw a woman suffer a damaged lung, three broken ribs, and six spinal fractures after a dolphin plowed into her.
Causes of Dolphin Aggression
Several factors can prompt dolphins to exhibit aggressive behavior towards humans. Human actions, such as attempting to touch, feed, or corner a dolphin, are frequently identified as primary triggers. Dolphins may lose their natural wariness and become conditioned to seeking food from humans, which can lead to pushy or aggressive behavior if food is not received.
Dolphins also display territorial behavior, particularly when they feel their space, their young, or their pod is threatened. Females can become protective of their calves, and males may exhibit aggression during mating season, sometimes misdirecting this behavior towards humans. Instances of male dolphins attempting to engage in mating behavior with humans have also been reported, which can involve forceful interactions.
Environmental stressors like noise from boats or too many swimmers can induce stress and confusion in dolphins. A stressed or confused dolphin may react defensively, leading to unexpected aggressive actions. Some experts also suggest that socially isolated dolphins can become aggressive and prone to biting.
How to Safely Interact with Wild Dolphins
Observing dolphins in their natural habitat can be a rewarding experience when done responsibly and safely. Maintain a safe distance from wild dolphins, at least 50 yards (approximately 150 feet) from a boat or while in the water. In some specific locations, such as Hawaii for spinner dolphins, federal law prohibits swimming with, approaching, or remaining within 50 yards.
It is strictly prohibited to feed or attempt to feed wild dolphins under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. This law makes it illegal to harass, hunt, capture, kill, or feed marine mammals, with violations potentially resulting in significant fines and even jail time. Feeding dolphins alters their natural foraging behaviors, making them dependent on human handouts and increasing their vulnerability to injuries from boat propellers or fishing gear.
Avoid approaching mothers and their calves, as mother dolphins are protective of their young and may perceive close human presence as a threat. If dolphins approach you in the water, remain calm and still, allowing them to pass without attempting to touch, follow, or interact. Respecting their space and natural behaviors helps ensure safety for both humans and marine animals.