Dolphin Drags Trainer Underwater at Miami Aquarium

Dolphins are widely known as intelligent marine mammal species that are both social and friendly to humans. Wild dolphins also have a track record on protecting endangered humans in the water, including from a potential shark attack.

However, wildlife experts assert this is not always the case since the animals are also capable of harming us, based on previous events.

One recent incident in particular involved a dolphin attack reported last week; when it went berserk and attacked its trainer, dragging her underwater in front of a shocked crowd at a Miami aquarium in Florida. The main cause for the dolphin to snap remains unclear but anecdotal evidence shows it had a history of violent behavior.

Florida Aquarium Dolphin Attack

UNILAD, a UK Internet media company and website, on February 11 reported that the Florida aquarium incident occurred at the Miami Seaquarium last year when a dolphin named Sundance attempted to attack its trainer, who was hospitalized and did not suffered from any serious injuries.

However, the Miami Seaquarium issued a statement clarifying the trainer accidentally scratched the dolphin while conducting the performance, as cited by the UK media entity.

In particular, the statement adds both the dolphin and female trainer collided while engaging in a routine behavior as part of the "Flipper Show." As a result, the dolphin reacted differently by breaking away from the said routine and led to striking the trainer.

Dolphin Violent Behavior

Former park employee and veterinarian Jenna Wallace explained Sundance exhibited violence in the past; this means that last year's attack is not an isolated case, according to UNILAD.

Meanwhile, the animal welfare non-profit organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) denounced the dolphin show in its entirety, stating dolphins suffer and workers are put at risk at the Miami Seaquarium, USA Today.

PETA urges the park to end its dolphin exploitation by releasing them to sanctuaries as soon as possible, as a means to protect the marine animals from such shows and avoid further attacks on humans.

Aggressive Dolphins

Dolphin attacks have also occurred outside an aquarium setting in the past. This means that wild dolphins, by nature, can be innately aggressive, let alone their captive counterparts.

According to another non-profit organization The Wild Dolphin Project, friendly-looking dolphins are often projected at aquariums, movies, or Instagram photos to be smiling back at humans with an open mouth. However, the mouth's gesture is reportedly anything but friendly.

Despite encounters of playful dolphins, an optimistic approach from the sea creatures is not always a guarantee, according to the organization, which emphasizes dolphins do not always want swimming with people.

In May 2022, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a warning to the public of an aggressive dolphin off the Texas coast; where biologists reported that the dolphin was responsible for separating swimming children from their parents and pets from their owners in the water.

Texas officials during that time confirmed the incident to be in the waters off North Padre Island.