Takuma Goto was swimming with a friend near the town of Tsuruga in central Japan when they encountered a single dolphin. The animal is said to have attacked at least 14 others
A dolphin believed to be responsible for at least 15 attacks on beachgoers has been spotted attacking another swimmer, who said he was lucky to be alive.
Takuma Goto was swimming with a friend near the town of Tsuruga in central Japan when they encountered a single dolphin. As they swam around 20 meters offshore from Crystal Beach the mammal launched its attack on them. Local authorities are aware of the attacking dolphin and have even put signs up to warn those venturing into the water.
At first, Mr Goto thought he was being attacked by a shark but soon realised it was a dolphin when the animal lifted its head from the water. The 23-year-old swimmer explained how he “genuinely believed” he was going to die when the mammal went for him after grabbing hold of his friend.
“I knew it was not a shark, but it came straight at me,” he said. “It attacked me and bit me. It kept attacking me and I genuinely believed that I was going to die. I was most worried that I was going to be dragged under the water and further out to sea.”
Horrified crowds watched on helplessly as Mr Goto was savaged just 65ft form the beach. Although attacks on humans from dolphins are relatively rare, Mr Goto was bitten and was left with wounds to both his arms, as well as a gash on his left index finger, which needed five stitches. He was only rescued when a nearby surfer spotted the danger and attempted to intercept the attack.
In the wake of the incident, Mr Goto shared how he felt the insides of his finger popping out after the dolphin almost severed it, and the attack has vowed him to “never go back” in the water. Scientists believe the dolphin was not attacking, or trying to hurt Mr Goto but was attempting to communicate.
Biologist Dr Simon Allen said: “Just as in humans and other social animals, hormonal fluctuations, sexual frustration or the desire to dominate might drive the dolphin to injure the people it interacts with. Since they are such powerful animals, this can lead to serious injury in humans.”
Mari Kobayashi, head of the marine biology laboratory at Tokyo University of Agriculture, said the same animal, named Suzu, was believed to have committed several attacks over the summer. He said that the mammal may have been showing signs of loneliness, given that the species is usually found in groups.
Suzu has been blamed for 18 attacks so far this year alone, though it remains unclear whether Suzu was responsible for harming Mr Goto. The dolphin has a reputation for chasing and terrorising beachgoers, attempting to play with them before trying to make love. The dolphin, who pops up out of nowhere and sources his victims as they swim, has caused various injuries from attempted close encounters with humans.
