Moment enraged dolphin rams terrified swimmer and pushes another underwater in front of screaming tourists on Japanese beach
- According to police, Fukui has recorded six dolphin attacks so far this year
Horrifying video shows rampaging dolphins ramming and trying to drag swimmers underwater just feet from a popular beach in Japan, while screaming members of the public watch helplessly.
At least four beachgoers were injured in a spate of dolphin attacks on Suishohama Beach in the town of Mihama, Fukui Prefecture, on Sunday.
A man in his 60s had his ribs broken when rammed by one of the mammals, while another man in his 40s suffered bites on his arm.
The aggressive animals continued to chase swimmers and at least two more were injured in vicious attacks later in the day.
Footage shows the sea emptying of people as dolphins lurk near the shoreline, while dozens of people watch in fear from the safety of the beach.
A terrifying encounter between a bather and a dolphin shows a man swimming for his life as the mammal seems to chase him
The video shows bystanders yelling at those still in the water and screaming when they can see the dolphin overtaking the man
Fukui, on Japan’s northern coast, has recorded a total of six dolphin attacks so far this year, according to local police.
Last year, a series of attacks were also reported in the coastal area, which is popular with local families and tourists.
Officials have posted signs warning the public not to approach or touch the dolphins.
They have warned swimmers, “If you see them, don’t go in the water.”
But many seemed to ignore this advice over the weekend, with social media awash with videos of swimmers, kayakers and paddleboarders braving the shallows.
Many of those who chose to enter the water to cool off soon became targets of the dolphins and had to flee when the mammals swam towards them.
A terrifying encounter between a bather and a dolphin shows a man swimming for his life as the mammal appears to be chasing him.
A swimmer, floating in a pink rubber ring, was seemingly unaware of the dolphin’s presence in the moments before it crashed into him
Shocked bystanders watch as swimmers desperately try to get away from the dolphin
The animal appears to struggle with one man, thrashing about in the water as terrified paddleboarders and kayakers retreat in horror
Helpless onlookers on the beach and a nearby paddleboard and boats watched as a man was dragged almost completely underwater
The video shows bystanders yelling at those still in the water and yelling when they can see the dolphin catch up to the man and pull him down.
The animal appears to struggle with the man, floundering in the water as terrified paddleboarders and kayakers retreat in horror.
Another clip shows a man in a pink rubber ring, seemingly oblivious as the dolphin circles around him before colliding with him, nearly submerging him.
Wild bottlenose dolphins may find it “incredibly stressful” to swim alongside humans, scientists have suggested, citing evidence it disrupts their behavioral routines.
There are about 600,000 bottlenose dolphins around the world and they are one of the most widely distributed dolphin species.