Latest news with #DolphinSpottingBoatTrips
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- General
- Daily Mirror
Exact location killer dolphin was last spotted off UK coast after slaying shark
Freak attacks on animals have sparked alarm in Wales as notorious dolphin 'Anakin' earns a chilling new nickname thanks to his latest fight with a shark in front of shocked onlookers A killer dolphin is terrorising the waters off the coast of Cardigan Bay, in a phenomenon that has stunned marine experts and wildlife watchers. The mammal, eerily nicknamed "Jack the Flipper", was filmed maiming a young dolphin before it launched a shark out of the sea in a violent killing spree. The bottlenose dolphin, whose real name is Anakin (inspired by the troubled " Star Wars" character), was last seen off the coast of New Quay, Ceredigion - a popular wildlife hotspot in Wales known for its usually peaceful dolphin population. But Anakin's behaviour is anything but peaceful. In a pair of shocking attacks, first reported by Dolphin Spotting Boat Trips, the dolphin was observed brutally killing a juvenile common dolphin in March, before turning on a smooth-hound shark just last week - flinging it out of the water in front of stunned passengers. Marine spotter Sarah Michelle Wyer, who has monitored dolphin behaviour in the bay for eight years, captured the chilling moment and said she'd never seen anything like it. 'I've not seen a dolphin throw a shark out in all my years watching them,' she told The Sun. 'One of the skippers has seen them throw topes, which is another small member of the shark family, but not smooth-hounds. 'But when Anakin killed the young common dolphin, it was the first recorded instance of this behaviour in Cardigan Bay. It is unknown why this dolphin chose to do it as it would have been of no threat.' While dolphins are widely seen as friendly, intelligent creatures, bottlenose dolphins can also display aggressive, even sadistic behaviours, especially toward smaller animals and rivals. 'They are not 'friendly flipper'. This particular dolphin seems to have a very unusual personality,' Sarah added. 'Despite the name, common dolphins aren't common around here. And we now think this could be because of the bottlenose dolphins.' The smooth-hound shark killed last week can grow up to 4ft in length, but would have been no match for a full-grown bottlenose dolphin, which can reach lengths of up to 12ft. Initially believed to be a salmon, the shark was carried past a boat of onlookers before being launched violently into the air. A spokesperson for Dolphin Spotting Boat Trips said: 'We were very surprised when one of our local dolphins, Anakin, brought what we originally thought was a large salmon past the boat and then threw the fish out of the water. 'To our surprise, it was not a salmon but a member of the shark family called a smooth-hound. 'We aren't sure if there are many records of smooth-hounds being part of a bottlenose dolphin's diet. Bottlenose dolphins are opportunistic feeders and have a varied diet of fish, squid and crustaceans. 'Anakin's dolphinality is a very unusual one, to say the least.' Where is 'Jack the Flipper' now? Anakin was last spotted near New Quay, one of Cardigan Bay's main centres for dolphin watching. The waters between Aberaeron and Aberdovey are now being monitored more closely by local tour operators and researchers in case of further aggressive incidents. While marine experts are not yet calling for intervention, concerns are growing about Anakin's impact on local wildlife, especially smaller dolphin species that may be avoiding the area. Although bottlenose dolphins do not typically pose a threat to humans, their unpredictable nature - especially when displaying rogue or violent behaviours - means boaters and wildlife watchers are being urged to respect safe distances. Marine biologists say Anakin's actions, while extreme, are not unprecedented globally - there have been cases of male dolphins targeting calves, rival pods, and even porpoises. But two lethal attacks, on different species, within three months in the same bay is exceptionally rare.
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
'Killer dolphin' on loose off UK coast spotted slaying baby mammal and shark
Sarah Michelle Wyer shared shocking photos of a bottlenose dolphin launching deadly attacks in Mid Wales. The dolphin targeted one of their own, as well as a shark A deadly dolphin who has been branded "Jack the Flipper" is prowling UK waters after killing one of its own kind. Sarah Michelle Wyer, who works for Dolphin Spotting Boat Trips, was left stunned when she spotted the creature pounce on a shark off the coast of Mid Wales last week. The dolphin watcher revealed that Jack is part of a pod in Cardigan Bay and has previous offences. She says the latest attack comes just three months after Jack, a bottlenose dolphin, targeted a juvenile common dolphin three months ago. Sarah suspects that the reason common dolphins are not often seen in Cardigan Bay, is because of the bottlenose dolphins. In Sarah's eight years of watching the marine mammals, it is the first time she has seen them "throw a shark out" of water. Sarah says Jack was re-named after previously being called Anakin, after the Star Wars character. Speaking about the bizarre scenes, she told The Sun: 'When Anakin killed the young common dolphin, it was the first recorded instance of this behaviour happening in Cardigan Bay. It is unknown why this dolphin chose to do it — as it would have been of no threat." She added: "They are not 'friendly flipper'. This particular dolphin seems to have a very unusual personality." Bottlenose dolphins can grow up to 12ft in size, while smooth-hounds can only reach up to 4ft in length. Dolphin Spotting Boat Trips commented: 'We were very surprised when one of our local dolphins, Anakin, brought what we originally thought was a large salmon past the boat and then threw the fish out the water. 'To our surprise, it was not a salmon but a member of the shark family called a smooth-hound." They explained that while there may not be many records of smooth-hounds being part of the dolphin's diet, bottlenose dolphins are "opportunistic feeders". 'Anakin's dolphinality is a very unusual one to say the least," they said.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
‘Jack The Flipper' killer dolphin on loose off UK coast after slaying a baby dolphin and then a SHARK
A KILLER dolphin is on the loose after being caught on video slaying one of its own kind — and then a shark. The bottlenose dolphin, dubbed Jack the Flipper, targeted a smooth-hound shark last week having previously attacked a juvenile common dolphin three months ago. 3 3 He is part of a pod in Cardigan Bay, off the coast of Mid Wales, and had actually been named Anakin, after the Star Wars character, by dolphin watcher Sarah Michelle Wyer. She told The Sun: 'I've not seen a dolphin throw a shark out in the eight years I've been watching them. 'One of the skippers has seen them throw topes, which is another small member of the shark family, but not smooth-hounds. 'But when Anakin killed the young common dolphin, it was the first recorded instance of this behaviour happening in Cardigan Bay. It is unknown why this dolphin chose to do it — as it would have been of no threat. Bottlenose dolphins are highly intelligent creatures and are capable of many unusual behaviours. 'They are not 'friendly flipper'. This particular dolphin seems to have a very unusual personality. 'Despite the name, common dolphins aren't common around here. And we now think this could be because of the bottlenose dolphins.' Smooth-hounds can grow up to 4ft in length — while bottlenose dolphins can reach up to 12ft. Dolphin Spotting Boat Trips, who Sarah works with, added: 'We were very surprised when one of our local dolphins, Anakin, brought what we originally thought was a large salmon past the boat and then threw the fish out the water. 'To our surprise, it was not a salmon but a member of the shark family called a smooth-hound. 'We aren't sure if there are many records of smooth-hounds being part of a bottlenose dolphin's diet. Inside the dark world of randy sex pest dolphins who terrorise swimmers & try to ROMP with humans 'Bottlenose dolphins are opportunistic feeders and have a varied diet of fish, squid and crustaceans. 'Anakin's dolphinality is a very unusual one to say the least.' 3
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Dolphin separated from mum rescued by tourist boat
A tourist boat off the coast of Wales has rescued a dolphin calf which had become separated from its mother and appeared unwell. The team at Dolphin Spotting Boat Trips in New Quay, Ceredigion, spotted the two common dolphins very close to the shore of Cardigan Bay. With the help of members of the public and a local volunteer trained by British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), the team were able to save the calf. Cardigan Bay is a special area of conservation for bottlenose dolphins but a sighting of a common dolphin is rare, according to the company who has been operating boat trips in the area for nearly 70 years. A video shared on the company's Facebook page showed the calf swimming in the shallow waters at 11:30 GMT on Saturday morning. They said in the post the calf was swimming around in very shallow water and seemed "lethargic". A second video showed volunteers jumping into the water fully clothed in an attempt to get the dolphin to swim out to deeper waters. They then wrapped the dolphin in a blanket and got it onto one of the company's boats. Josh Pedley from New Quay said former colleagues at SeaMôr Dolphin Watching Boat Trips, another tourist boat firm, told him about the dolphins in Cardigan Bay. He said he watched the dolphins for about an hour from the beach before the mother seemingly abandoned the calf. "This coincided with a kayaker approaching the animals, perhaps coincidence, but after this, the mother was not seen again," he said. "The tide was still due to be going out for about another two hours and the lone calf started showing some signs of distress. "It was spending most of its time 'logging' on the surface of the water and swimming round in circles," he said. Mr Pedley phoned BDMLR to notify them of a possible beached dolphin in the coming hours. "They asked me to keep tabs on it and they would get back to me," he said. "As the tide receded, the waves increased and the calf was getting pushed ever shallower." "I could see it was only going to be a matter of minutes away from getting beached, so I phoned BDMLR again and sought their advice on what best to do," Mr Pedley said. He stressed the importance of seeking advice, adding sometimes "well-meaning help can actually cause more harm than good". Mr Pedley then waded into waist-deep water to use himself as a barrier to stop the calf being pushed in too shallow. After the BDMLR team arrived they tried to shepherd the calf out into deeper water, but it kept being pushed back in by the waves. "A plan was hatched to gain access to a boat crewed by Dolphin Spotting Boat Trips staff and to hoist the dolphin into the boat and drive it further out to sea," Mr Pedley said. The dolphin was then re-released into the sea in deeper waters after being checked over by marine medics. The company said the calf had not been spotted since, and hopes "no news is good news". After the rescue, Dolphin Spotting Boat Trips said on social media: "An amazing result today. "Thanks to our dedicated crew and the help and knowledge of the BDMLR trained volunteers and with help from a few passionate helpers a common dolphin calf was rescued from stranding today on the beach at Traeth Gwyn across the water from New Quay main beach." Concerns over sudden drop in sightings of porpoises She spotted dolphin in Wales before her death - now it shares her name Dolphin spotters shaken by porpoise killing
BBC News
18-03-2025
- General
- BBC News
New Quay: Dolphin separated from mum rescued by tourist boat
A tourist boat off the coast of Wales has rescued a dolphin calf which had become separated from its mother and appeared team at Dolphin Spotting Boat Trips in New Quay, Ceredigion, spotted the two common dolphins very close to the shore of Cardigan the help of members of the public and a local volunteer trained by British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), the team were able to save the Bay is a special area of conservation for bottlenose dolphins but a sighting of a common dolphin is rare, according to the company who has been operating boat trips in the area for nearly 70 years. A video shared on the company's Facebook page showed the calf swimming in the shallow waters at 11:30 GMT on Saturday said in the post the calf was swimming around in very shallow water and seemed "lethargic".A second video showed volunteers jumping into the water fully clothed in an attempt to get the dolphin to swim out to deeper then wrapped the dolphin in a blanket and got it onto one of the company's boats. Josh Pedley from New Quay said former colleagues at SeaMôr Dolphin Watching Boat Trips, another tourist boat firm, told him about the dolphins in Cardigan said he watched the dolphins for about an hour from the beach before the mother seemingly abandoned the calf. "This coincided with a kayaker approaching the animals, perhaps coincidence, but after this, the mother was not seen again," he said."The tide was still due to be going out for about another two hours and the lone calf started showing some signs of distress. "It was spending most of its time 'logging' on the surface of the water and swimming round in circles," he Pedley phoned BDMLR to notify them of a possible beached dolphin in the coming hours."They asked me to keep tabs on it and they would get back to me," he said. "As the tide receded, the waves increased and the calf was getting pushed ever shallower.""I could see it was only going to be a matter of minutes away from getting beached, so I phoned BDMLR again and sought their advice on what best to do," Mr Pedley stressed the importance of seeking advice, adding sometimes "well-meaning help can actually cause more harm than good".Mr Pedley then waded into waist-deep water to use himself as a barrier to stop the calf being pushed in too shallow. After the BDMLR team arrived they tried to shepherd the calf out into deeper water, but it kept being pushed back in by the waves."A plan was hatched to gain access to a boat crewed by Dolphin Spotting Boat Trips staff and to hoist the dolphin into the boat and drive it further out to sea," Mr Pedley dolphin was then re-released into the sea in deeper waters after being checked over by marine company said the calf had not been spotted since, and hopes "no news is good news".After the rescue, Dolphin Spotting Boat Trips said on social media: "An amazing result today."Thanks to our dedicated crew and the help and knowledge of the BDMLR trained volunteers and with help from a few passionate helpers a common dolphin calf was rescued from stranding today on the beach at Traeth Gwyn across the water from New Quay main beach."
