Swimmers told to stay away from Reggie the dancing dolphin or risk being attacked

Telegraph

2 days ago

The public has been warned to stay away from Reggie the dancing dolphin who was maimed by a boat propeller after playing with swimmers.
Experts have warned the bottlenose dolphin could die or become aggressive if swimmers, fishermen, and boaters do not steer clear.
The dolphin went viral online earlier this month after joining swimmers in Lyme Bay, Dorset, for an early morning dip.
Video footage showed the creature leaping vertically out of the water before swimming in and around Lynda MacDonald, 50, her partner, her son and his girlfriend on Aug 3.
But the animal, which appears to be living on its own and not part of a pod, has since been photographed with gashes seemingly caused by a boat's propeller.
The Marine Management Organisation, a government quango, has now said it is 'concerned' by the footage, saying that humans should 'never' interact with dolphins because they lose their 'natural wariness, leading to injury or even death'.
A spokesman said: 'We're increasingly concerned about a lone dolphin spotted in Lyme Bay, Dorset, following multiple potential marine wildlife disturbance offences observed online and shared on social media.
'Please remember: never swim with, touch, feed, or approach dolphins. If a dolphin approaches you, calmly leave the area.
'Human interaction can cause dolphins to lose their natural wariness, leading to injury or even death. Disturbed dolphins are also known to become aggressive toward people.'
They added: 'Dolphins may seem friendly, but they are wild animals. The dolphin in Lyme Bay has already been injured by a suspected boat propeller.
'Let's protect them by keeping our distance and please share this message to respect their space.'
Mrs MacDonald had previously described swimming with the dolphin as a 'magical moment'.
'Out of nowhere, the dolphin immediately approached us and wanted to join in on the action,' she said. 'It was friendly and playful. It even started guiding members of our group along the water with its beak.
'It was not distressed by our presence and was very confident around us. I've seen a dolphin before, but this is something I'll remember forever.'
Liz Sandeman, who leads Marine Connection's solitary, a sociable dolphin project, added: 'When lone dolphins start spending time closer to shore, unquestionably their behaviour does change within months.
'They quickly become accustomed to humans and boats, losing their instinctive fear and caution, which could potentially put them at greater risk.
'Solitary, sociable dolphins represent a unique behavioural group that requires focused conservation efforts, and this individual dolphin needs protection now more than ever.
'It is important that everyone is aware of the fact that disturbing dolphins is against the law, and that these are large, powerful, wild animals.'
Bottlenose dolphins are native to Britain and there are estimated to be 700 around the country's shores, normally swimming in pods.
Disturbing dolphins can result in prison sentence
Earlier this month, boaters in Cornwall were also warned to stay away from dolphins after footage showed the dorsal fins of five had been damaged.
Two of the mammals' fins had been completely cut off, the Cornwall Wildlife Trust said.
A spokesman for the charity said the injuries had likely been caused by high-speed watercraft or boat propellers.
It is illegal to intentionally or recklessly kill, injure or disturb cetaceans – whales, dolphins, and porpoises – under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.
Approaching or recklessly disturbing a dolphin can result in a prison sentence of up to six months and an unlimited fine.