North Clare dolphin under attack

YOU wouldn’t jump into a pen with a bull, so why would you get in the water with a dolphin?

That’s the question posed by Doolin Irish Coast Guard station officer Mattie Shannon, who has been called to four incidents involving swimmers and Dusty the dolphin over the summer months.

Calling on people to exercise caution, Mr Shannon said people need to remember, in the first place, Dusty is a wild animal.

It has now emerged that the dolphin, which injured a number of individuals along the North Clare coast this summer, is itself the subject of attacks. Incidents involving people calling the dolphin and physically abusing it have been reported.

Frankie Coote, ISPCA inspector, said “I went up to Doolin earlier this summer to witness this for myself. I spoke to people there about it. I spent an evening there and advised people not to go near the animal and, quite frankly, I was abused myself. I was shocked to see people going in to the water with cameras and poking it and trying to ride on its back and these were not children, these were adults.

“I also got one report that there was a novelty going on in the area whereby people were bringing the dolphin over close to the water’s edge and trying to pour alcohol into its blowhole and throwing fags and other objects at it,” he added.

Mr Coote is urging people to report any incidents they see to the authorities.

“If people see this sort of thing, they need to report it straight away to gardaí or to ourselves. Locals are great and they love to see the dolphin coming but they are very upset and concerned by the behavior of a lot of people.

Mr Coote continued, “Some people have been swimming with the dolphin for years and have no hassle but other people see this and they think they can get in and do the same.”

Mr Shannon agreed, stating, “There is a woman who has been swimming with Dusty for years but they have built up a relationship. Others see this and think they can have the same relationship. This is not the case. We would advise people to stay away from the dolphin. She is not necessarily aggressive but she may feel the need to protect herself and lash out with her tail,” he added.