Home / Environment / Friendly Dolphin Turned Predator: Reggie Attacks Swimmers in Lyme Bay
Friendly Dolphin Turned Predator: Reggie Attacks Swimmers in Lyme Bay
22 Aug
Summary
- Reggie the dolphin gained fame for playful interactions, now accused of assaulting swimmers
- Women in wetsuits reportedly targeted, with rescues by kayakers to save them from drowning
- Experts warn Reggie's behavior change likely due to stress from human interaction
Just a few weeks ago, Reggie the bottlenose dolphin was the darling of Lyme Bay, Dorset, captivating onlookers with his playful displays of dancing, belly rubs, and backflips. However, the situation has taken a dramatic turn, as Reggie has now been accused of becoming a menace to swimmers in the area.
According to reports, Reggie has started aggressively attacking swimmers, particularly women in wetsuits. Twice in the past week, kayakers Rhys and Gareth Paterson had to rescue women from Reggie's attention, with one incident involving the dolphin repeatedly pushing a woman's head underwater, nearly drowning her. In another case, Reggie was seen rubbing himself against a woman hanging onto a buoy, causing her to panic.
Experts warn that Reggie's behavioral change is likely due to the immense stress he has faced from excessive human interaction. Dolphin experts have been urging people to leave Reggie alone and not approach him, as he is a wild animal, not a tourist attraction. However, their pleas have largely gone unheeded, with crowds of people flocking to Lyme Bay to interact with the friendly dolphin.
The situation has become so dire that the local authorities are now considering taking action to protect both Reggie and the public. The hope is that by giving Reggie space and removing the temptation, he will eventually lose interest in the swimmers and return to his natural habitat out at sea.
