A WILD dolphin known as “Reggie” has left swimmers terrified after reportedly targeting women in wetsuits — with experts warning the playful mammal “could snap” at any moment.
The lone bottlenose dolphin was first spotted in Lyme Bay, Dorset, on August 3 when he delighted a family by flipping onto his back and asking for belly rubs.
SWNSSwimmers were left shocked after a previously playful dolphin turned on them[/caption]
SWNSImage shows the dolphin jumping on top of a woman swimming off the beach in Lyme Regis[/caption]
SWNSHuman interaction can cause dolphins to lose their natural caution, which in turn can lead to injury, aggression, or even death[/caption]
The clip quickly went viral and dozens of tourists flocked to the area hoping to meet the playful mammal for themselves.
But excitement has now turned to alarm after experts warned Reggie could lash out at any moment.
The dolphin has already been blamed for terrifying two swimmers after repeatedly leaping on top of them and pushing one woman’s head under the water.
In shocking footage from August 14, the frightened swimmer can be heard crying out: “It scared me to death! Oh my goodness!” before being shoved below the waves.
Rhys Paterson, 32, who was out boating with his brother Gareth, said they were forced to step in and pull the women to safety.
The development director, from Lyme Regis, said: “We saved two swimmers who were fairly deep, where the dolphin kept jumping on them.
“The dolphin was basically drowning this woman – it kind of jumped on her back four times.”
He added: “People need to understand that it’s not an amusement arcade. It’s a wild animal. It can snap all of a sudden if it wants to.”
Reggie has also been seen carrying nasty gashes — thought to be from a boat’s propeller.
Now officials fear the growing crowds of people desperate for a close encounter are making the dolphin’s behaviour worse.
The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has issued a stark warning to the public.
In a Facebook post, they said: “We’re increasingly concerned about a lone dolphin spotted in Lyme Bay following multiple potential marine wildlife disturbance offences.
“Never swim with, touch, feed, or approach dolphins. If a dolphin approaches you, calmly leave the area.”
They added that human interaction can cause dolphins to lose their natural caution, which in turn can lead to injury, aggression, or even death.
Jess Churchill-Bissett, MMO’s head of marine conservation, said: “Repeated human interaction inevitably disrupt their natural behaviours, increasing stress and potentially altering their temperament.
“Once habituated to humans, dolphins can lose their natural wariness, a change that can be fatal.
“This is something we could already be seeing in Lyme Bay.”
Other wildlife experts have echoed the alarm.
The Whale and Dolphin Conservation charity stressed: “We have to reiterate: NEVER swim with dolphins, in the wild or in captivity. It is not good for them or us. Respect their space.”
Liz Sandeman, co-founder of the Marine Connection charity, warned: “This is the worst case of a dolphin becoming rapidly habituated to close human interaction in 20 years in the UK.”
But despite repeated pleas, new videos have emerged showing paddleboarders and even young children getting within touching distance of Reggie.
One horrified witness wrote online: “We went down last night and watched from the shore.
SWNSDolphins, whales and porpoises are legally protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981[/caption]
SWNSDisturbing or approaching them too closely can result in six months in prison or an unlimited fine[/caption]
“We were shocked to see so many paddleboarders out there — around 20 — and they were all following the dolphin and not leaving him alone.”
Experts say bottlenose dolphins are powerful creatures that can grow up to 13ft long and weigh 650kg.
Although they may appear playful, they are capable of seriously injuring people with a sudden flick of their tail or a head butt from their beak.
Lucy Babey, director of programmes for charity ORCA, said: *”They are powerful marine mammals and have been known to seriously injure people, even if unintentionally.
“In some cases the dolphin’s behaviour has escalated and people have unfortunately been killed.”*
Dolphins, whales and porpoises are legally protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Disturbing or approaching them too closely can result in six months in prison or an unlimited fine.
Despite the risks, holidaymakers continue to flock to Lyme Bay in the hope of swimming with the dolphin.
‘Once habituated to humans, dolphins can lose their natural wariness, a change that can be fatal’
SWNSExperts say bottlenose dolphins are powerful creatures that can grow up to 13ft long and weigh 650kg[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
